'Remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar': DK Shivakumar Leads INDIA Bloc Protest March
Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar leads INDIA bloc MPs in a protest march demanding the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and a return to ballot voting.
In a high-stakes political escalation, Members of Parliament from the INDIA bloc staged a massive protest march toward Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. The demonstration was fueled by deep-seated concerns regarding the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI), with senior leaders demanding systemic changes to the electoral process.
Leading the charge, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar issued a blistering demand, calling for both the reinstatement of ballot papers and the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. "We want to have a ballot. We want to remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar," Shivakumar declared during the demonstration.
Frustration Over Presidential Meeting Limits
The decision to take to the streets was prompted by what opposition leaders described as a snub by the President's office. Congress MP Rajiv Shukla explained that while the INDIA alliance sought to collectively present its grievances to President Droupadi Murmu, the meeting was strictly limited.
Key points of the protest included:
- Limited Representation: Only ten leaders from the INDIA bloc were granted an audience with the President, leaving the rest of the alliance's MPs sidelined.
- Demand for Ballots: A core demand from the opposition is the return to traditional ballot voting.
- Call for CEC Removal: High-ranking leaders are explicitly demanding the exit of Gyanesh Kumar from his position.
Allegations of Institutional Bias
The protest was not merely about meeting logistics; it was a fundamental critique of the country's poll watchdog. RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha leveled heavy accusations against the ECI, suggesting that the current leadership is protecting a flawed system. "The demand is the same as that of the entire country: to dismantle the entire structure of dishonesty, and Gyanesh Kumar is standing like a shield," Jha remarked.
Adding to the sentiment of democratic duty, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi praised the lawmakers for their activism, stating that "all patriots are engaged in strengthening the country's democracy" and saluting those who have taken to the streets to defend it.
Security Crackdown and Public Inconvenience
As the march unfolded, the atmosphere in the national capital turned tense. Rajiv Shukla criticized the heavy-handed security measures implemented by the government, alleging that the administration has become "terrified."
Shukla claimed that the blanket restrictions on movement—including the disruption of metros, trains, and buses—have caused significant inconvenience to the general public. He noted that the Supreme Court had previously questioned why such sweeping bans and shutdowns were being imposed, suggesting that the government's fear is driving the current state of chaos in Delhi.