India, Sept. 25 -- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar should "firmly respond" to the Opposition's allegations to ensure people do not lose trust in the electoral process, Union minister Chirag Paswan has said.

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief on Friday responded to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's demand for Kumar's resignation amid a growing row over the functioning of the Election Commission (ECI) and reported differences between the three Election Commissioners.

"If such questions are being raised against the Election Commission, I believe it is also the responsibility of the Election Commission, especially the CEC, to firmly present its side," the BJP-led NDA minister told reporters. "I don't care what the opposition s...