Congress intensifies nationwide protests demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation
Congress and opposition parties launch nationwide protests demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over voter list irregularities.
The Congress party, alongside several other opposition groups, has launched a massive wave of nationwide demonstrations aimed at forcing the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The protests, which erupted across multiple states on Monday, center on serious allegations regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists and irregularities in the process of adding or deleting voters.
Widespread demonstrations across India
From the national capital to remote districts, Congress workers have taken to the streets to voice their discontent. In New Delhi, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), led by Uday Bhanu Chib, staged a protest where members issued a stern warning on social media, stating that the CEC would eventually face legal consequences.
The scale of the unrest was visible in several key regions:
- Uttarakhand: Congress workers staged protests and, in several locations, burnt effigies of the Chief Election Commissioner.
- Assam: Leaders gathered at the Manbendra Sarma Complex in Guwahati, raising allegations of "vote theft."
- Kerala: A march was organized in Malappuram toward the district collectorate to demand immediate resignation.
- Gujarat: Protesters gathered outside the Collector’s office in Surat, leading to police detentions.
- Rajasthan: In Jaipur, the situation escalated as Rajasthan Police utilized water cannons to disperse the crowds.
Allegations of compromised electoral processes
The core of the opposition's grievance lies in the legality of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. During a protest in Srinagar, Congress MP Pawan Khera accused the CEC of deceiving the nation and claimed that the SIR process is fundamentally illegal. He argued that amendments to Form 6, which are necessary for such changes, must be brought through Parliament rather than being implemented unilaterally.
"If SIR is illegal, then all additions and deletions are illegal," Khera stated, emphasizing that the country is witnessing the theft of election mandates.
Political leaders weigh in on the crisis
In Telangana, the protest took a significant form as State Congress President Mahesh Kumar Goud led a march from the Indira Gandhi statue to the Election Commission office in Hyderabad. Telangana Minister Mohammed Azharuddin joined the call, alleging that the CEC is working for the government rather than the nation.
Congress MP Anil Kumar Yadav echoed sentiments previously raised by the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that the Election Commission has been compromised and that Gyanesh Kumar acts as a "puppet" for the ruling BJP leadership. He called for an immediate inquiry into the CEC's conduct.
In Madhya Pradesh, state Congress president Jitu Patwari noted a growing public doubt regarding how elections are being conducted. He pointed out that while the BJP faced significant challenges in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the constitutional integrity of the process remains a central point of debate.
A united opposition front
The movement against Gyanesh Kumar is not limited to the Congress party. A broad coalition of opposition forces, including the CPI, CPI(M), Trinamool Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT), has joined the call for his resignation. In Patna, Left parties also staged significant protests against the CEC.
These developments follow reports suggesting internal friction within the Election Commission, with claims that other Election Commissioners had previously raised objections regarding decisions related to the SIR process and other administrative orders.