Yogendra Yadav, political analyst and co-founder of Swaraj India, speaks to The Quint about the controversy surrounding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission of India (ECI) following The Indian Express investigation into internal objections within the poll panel.
The Indian Express investigation published in September 2026 reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally objected at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions and processes within the Election Commission, including issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, voter deletions and additions, changes to Form 6, access to electoral-roll databases and the centralisation of election-related technology. The objections were also sent to CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The Election Commission subsequently responded that differing views are part of its decision-making process and said its decisions were unanimous.
In this interview, Yogendra Yadav discusses the functioning and independence of the Election Commission, the role and powers of the Chief Election Commissioner, the reported differences between Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, the controversy surrounding SIR and electoral rolls, and what the developments mean for India's electoral process and democratic institutions.
The conversation also comes amid growing political and public scrutiny of the Election Commission, calls for accountability over the functioning of the poll panel, and discussions around the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Watch the full interview with Yogendra Yadav on The Quint.
#YogendraYadav #GyaneshKumar #ElectionCommission #ElectionCommissionOfIndia #ECI #ChiefElectionCommissioner #CEC #IndianExpress #IndianExpressInvestigation #SIR #SpecialIntensiveRevision #ElectoralRolls #VoterList #ElectionCommissionControversy #IndianElections #IndianDemocracy #ElectionReforms #SukhbirSinghSandhu #VivekJoshi #TheQuint #IndiaPolitics #IndianPolitics
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Video: The Quint
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1 May 2026
Wars, Op Sindoor, Rahul Gandhi: Untold Stories of Indian Armed Forces ft Ex Army Chief MM Naravane
In this exclusive and candid interview, General MM Naravane, former Chief of Army Staff of India, opens up about his distinguished career and shares untold stories from his time in the Indian Army. We discuss a range of critical topics, including his book controversy involving Rahul Gandhi, the Pahalgam attack, and Operation Sindhu, providing a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics within the Indian military.
General Naravane also addresses common military myths and misconceptions about the armed forces, taking us through the origins of military acronyms like SOS and M.H.O.W, and the historical roots of lezim, tracing it back to Chhatrapati Shivaji's era. He shares fascinating insights into the cultural and historical aspects of the military and the role of customs that shape its operations.
The interview delves into the realities of war, contrasting popular war movies with the actual challenges faced on the battlefield. General Naravane talks about the emotional and social cost of war and sheds light on the Pahalgam and Pulwama attacks, discussing how media speculation can harm national security. He reflects on his own experience with the book controversy that followed the leaks of his unpublished book, which stirred political debates, and his stance on the role of the media in military operations.
In addition, we discuss the politicization of the armed forces, the complex relationship between India and its neighbors, especially China and Pakistan, and the need for a strategic approach to national security in today's rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
Key Topics Discussed:
General MM Naravane’s leadership in the Indian Army
The book controversy with Rahul Gandhi and leaked excerpts
Pahalgam attack and the Pahalgam incident
Operation Sindhu and its impact on national security
Military acronyms: From SOS to M.H.O.W.
The true cost of war: Emotional, social, and physical impacts
Military myths vs reality: Breaking misconceptions
Bollywood war movies vs the truth of military operations
India’s strategic approach to China and Pakistan
Media speculation and its impact on national security during crises
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31 Oct 2025
'Bhima Koregaon Accused a Test Case for Urban Naxal Theory': Anand Teltumbde Interview | The Quint
Scholar Anand Teltumbde discusses his book, written during imprisonment in the Bhima Koregaon case, and reflects on freedom, conscience, and the soul of democracy in this interview.
29 Aug 2025
Modi Interview Ended Political Career: Tell-All Chat With Shahid Siddiqui Who Interviewed Every PM
Veteran journalist Shahid Siddiqui shares his experiences interviewing every Indian Prime Minister, including a pivotal 2012 conversation with Narendra Modi, on Badi Badi Baatein.
13 Aug 2025
'Govt Sent 'Khalid Ka Shivaji' to Cannes, Banned After Hindutva Groups' Pressure: Director Raj More | The Quint
National Award-winning director Raj More discusses the controversy surrounding his film 'Khalid Ka Shivaji' and the challenges of 'on-the-road' censorship in India, in an interview with The Quint.
10 Jul 2025
Why the Middle-Class is Leaving India: 'Better Taxes, Infrastructure' | Sanjaya Baru Interview
Sanjaya Baru discusses the reasons behind the emigration of India's middle class, including better global opportunities and declining ease of living, in an interview on the podcast.
19 Jun 2025
Amitabh Kant Resigns as G20 Sherpa: What He Said on His Journey | The Quint
Amitabh Kant reflects on his 45-year public service career and pivotal role leading India's G20 agenda, including the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration and African Union inclusion.
29 May 2025
Can PM Modi, BJP Claim Gandhi's Legacy? How Would Mahatma View Today's Politics? Grandson Explains
Gopalkrishna Gandhi discusses the fading memory of Mahatma Gandhi, communal discourse in Indian politics, Congress Party faults, and Narendra Modi with BJP's claims to Gandhi's legacy in this interview.
16 May 2025
Shashi Tharoor Interview: US Role in India-Pakistan Conflict, Trump's Kashmir Offer & Modi's Silence
As peace and normalcy are restored after weeks of military conflict between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the Narendra Modi government now finds itself in a limbo, with US President Donald Trump taking credit for the ceasefire agreement and offering to resolve the Kashmir issue. While Trump's 'interference' in the conflict has irked both BJP supporters and the Opposition, what role did the US exactly play? How legitimate is Trump's claim of 'mediation'? Why is his Kashmir offer an embarrassment for India? In this episode of 'Badi Badi Baatein,' Congress MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor talks about his new book 'Our Living Constitution' and the importance of the Constitution amid the India-Pakistan conflict.
2 May 2025
'We Don't Blame All Hindus for Lynchings, Why Blame Kashmiris for Pahalgam?': Aga Ruhullah Mehdi
On this episode of 'Badi Badi Baatein', J&K National Conference leader and Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi speaks on the immediate and long-term fallout of the Pahalgam terror attack, the discrimination against Kashmiris and Muslims across India since since 22 April, and the concerns around Centre's claims of security since Abrogation of Article 370.
16 Apr 2025
The 'Dark Realities' of Election Commission, By Journalist Who Exposed Electoral Bonds | The Quint
On this episode of 'Badi Badi Baatein', Poonam Agarwal, former Quint journalist who exposed the government's electoral bonds in 2018, talks about her book in which she details her investigations into India's electoral processes, the questions surrounding the credibility of the Election Commission, and the need for more accountability and transparency in India's polling processes.
7 Apr 2025
'Chhaava' vs Aurangzeb, Mughals vs Marathas: Historian Dr Manu S Pillai on Facts & Political Agendas | The Quint
With the political narrative on Aurangzeb fueling communal unrest in Maharashtra, why is the Mughal emperor who dies 300 years ago the Hindu right wing's favorite horse to flog? Was the Mughal vs Maratha tussle purely a religious one? Are sentiments against Aurangzeb being used to fuel anti-Muslim hate? On 'Badi Badi Baatein', renowned historian and PhD scholar Dr Manu S Pillai separates the facts from the political narratives.
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Anand Teltumbde
Raj More
Sanjaya Baru
Amitabh Kant
Gopalkrishna Gandhi
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