NEW DELHI: The IAS Officers’ Association on Friday said it “strongly deprecates” the “unwarranted criticism” and “personal attacks” against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and his family members, who are also civil servants, amid allegations of ‘vote theft’ by certain Opposition leaders.In a post on X, the association said such personal attacks are unconnected with the discharge of official duties.“We stand for the dignity and integrity in public service,” the IAS officers’ body said.The assertion by the association of IAS officers came days after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi warned the CEC and the two election commissioners — all former IAS officers — of ‘action’’ when the INDIA bloc forms government in “Bihar and Delhi”.“These three election commissioners… I want to tell them that it is Modiji’s government right now… Tejashwi (Yadav) ji said that you (election commissioners) have taken BJP membership and are working for them.“But understand one thing, a day will come when there will be an INDIA bloc government in Bihar and Delhi; then we will take action against the three of you… You’ve stolen (votes) from the whole country,” Gandhi had said, addressing a gathering in Bihar’s Gaya Ji on August 18. The fresh attack on the poll body by the Congress leader came a day after CEC Kumar served a seven-day ultimatum to him to either submit a signed affidavit along with evidence to back his vote theft claims, or have his allegations dismissed as baseless.CEC Kumar and his family members have been subject to online trolling following Gandhi’s warning and opposition leaders’ allegations, officials said.Both his daughters and sons-in-law are serving civil servants.Kumar’s younger brother is also a serving senior Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes) officer.
