Country moving in a democratic way: BJP

New Delhi: The ruling BJP said the Supreme Court’s decision to issue notices to the Election Commission (EC) and the Centre on pleas seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar showed that all institutions in the country were “functioning independently” and there was no atmosphere of “fear and dictatorship”. “The country is moving in a very democratic way. Everyone is speaking their heart out.

All procedures and systems are being followed. Where else could there be a better model of democracy? I feel India is celebrating democracy,” BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra told reporters at a news conference at the party headquarters in Delhi when asked about the development. Patra’s remarks came after the Supreme Court sought responses from the EC and the Centre within a week on a plea challenging the manner in which the poll panel, led by CEC Gyanesh Kumar, allegedly took decisions without the approval of the two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.