Now Reading: Congress leader Khera jabs Trump, CEC over voter ID remarks
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Congress leader Khera jabs Trump, CEC over voter ID remarks
Congress MP Pawan Khera on Tuesday sarcastically asked US President Donald Trump to take Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to America and keep him there, along with Electronic Voting Machines. Khera posted on X: "Please take Gyanesh Kumar Gupta to America. And keep him there. We will send our EVMs too by the next available flight." He added: "For all the insults and bullying you've sent our way, this is the least we can do for you."
The remark came after Trump, in a Truth Social post, cited Kumar and India's 2024 election where 646 million voters used photo ID, to push for the SAVE America Act. The Act would require proof of US citizenship for federal voter registration and a photo ID to vote. Trump wrote: "India's last Election had 646,000,000 Voters! Less than 1% voted by mail, and every single Voter had to have a VALID Photo Identity Document."
The MEA on Tuesday said India's election machinery's credibility is "well-established globally", but made no specific comment on Trump's remarks. The SAVE Act passed the US House in February 2026 but faces an uphill path in the Senate, where Republicans hold 53 seats and need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. Khera's post also referenced the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a point of dispute between Congress and the EC.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The coverage splits sharply. The Federal and The Hindu (first story) lead with Khera's sarcastic jibe, framing it as a political attack on the CEC and Trump, and include Congress's ongoing dispute with the EC over electoral roll revisions. The Times of India leads instead with the MEA's neutral statement, downplaying the controversy and treating Trump's praise as a validation of Indian democracy. The Hindu (second story) provides a detailed explainer on the SAVE Act and Democratic opposition, without covering Khera's reaction at all. A careful reader should note that the MEA's careful non-comment leaves the political field to Khera. The key number to watch is 60: the Senate votes needed to break the filibuster and pass the SAVE Act.
Coverage: 4 sources, 1 pro-government, 2 government-critical, 1 neutral
Sources (4): thefederal.com (government critical), thehindu.com (government critical), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (pro government), thehindu.com (2) (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 4 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 4 sources.
