Gujarat Congress Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Gujarat Congress leaders stage massive protests in Ahmedabad demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral manipulation.
In a massive show of dissent, Gujarat Congress leaders and workers took to the streets of Ahmedabad on Tuesday to stage a fierce protest. The party is demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, leveling serious allegations of electoral manipulation and the systematic deletion of names from voter rolls.
Allegations of 'Stolen' Voting Rights
Addressing the gathering, Gujarat Congress President Amit Chavda launched a scathing attack on the current administration and the Election Commission. He alleged that the fundamental voting rights of citizens across India are being systematically "stolen."
Chavda accused the government of compromising the independence of the nation's democratic institutions. "The government has reduced the Election Commission to a mere puppet, using Gyanesh Kumar as a tool to win elections nationwide," Chavda stated. He went further, demanding not just the removal but also the imprisonment of the CEC, asserting that those responsible for depriving citizens of their right to vote must be held accountable.
Massive Deletions from Electoral Rolls
The protest centered on claims of large-scale irregularities in voter lists. Sonal Ramanbhai Patel, President of the Ahmedabad City Congress Committee, echoed the sentiments of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding "vote theft."
Patel claimed that concrete evidence has surfaced regarding flawed electoral processes, including internal dissent within the Election Commission itself. She highlighted the gravity of the situation, alleging that the removal of a staggering number of names from the rolls—suggesting figures as high as 16 crore—is a direct violation of constitutional rights. "There is no greater act of treason than this," she remarked.
Democracy Under Threat, Says Congress
The leadership of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) expressed deep concern over the perceived failure of the Election Commission to uphold its constitutional mandate. Manish Doshi, GPCC Chief Spokesperson, described the current situation as a "murder of democracy," stating that the commission has failed in its duty to protect the nation's democratic fabric.
Other key leaders joined the outcry, highlighting the widespread nature of the movement:
- Hemang Raval (State Co-Convenor): Reported that party workers and citizens across Gujarat participated in the protest by wearing black clothing to signal their opposition.
- Imran Khedawala (MLA): Stated that demands for the CEC's resignation are being raised at various locations across the state, alleging that over 13 crore names were removed from electoral rolls.
- Ami Yagnik (Congress Leader): Affirmed that the party is strictly following the directives of Rahul Gandhi to fight against this alleged "vote theft."
The protesters, many dressed in black, indicated that the demonstrations are part of a larger movement, with plans to march and continue their agitation against the alleged electoral discrepancies.