Chaos in Kerala: Youth Congress Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Youth Congress members in Thiruvananthapuram faced police action during a protest demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
A protest march organized by the Youth Congress in Thiruvananthapuram turned volatile on Wednesday as members demonstrated against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration, which was part of a larger movement by the INDIA bloc, resulted in clashes and subsequent police intervention to restore order.
Clashes and Police Action in Thiruvananthapuram
The protest took a dramatic turn when Youth Congress members alleged they were attacked by members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI). Following the altercation, protesters were seen removing SFI banners from the area. To manage the escalating tension and disperse the gathering, the police resorted to using tear gas and a mild lathi charge.
This local unrest mirrors a growing national confrontation between the INDIA bloc and the Election Commission. The opposition has been vocal in its criticism regarding electoral reforms and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
Demands of the INDIA Bloc
The protests in Kerala coincide with a major coordination meeting held at the Constitution Club in New Delhi. During this meeting, leaders from various opposition parties—including the Congress, SP, AITC, and RJD—unanimously demanded the immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The bloc's primary grievances include:
- Removal of the CEC: Immediate resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.
- Electoral Roll Integrity: A rollback of the current Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and a return to using pre-SIR electoral rolls for future elections.
- Voting Mechanism: A return to the use of ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
- Voter Protection: An effective appeals mechanism to protect genuine voters from being excluded due to technical or administrative errors.
Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal has been particularly vocal, accusing the CEC of "rigging" elections and emphasizing that the protection of genuine voters from exclusion is a non-negotiable demand.
Nationwide "Save Democracy March" Announced
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, following the Delhi meeting, announced a series of nationwide protest programmes. These will include a "Save Democracy March" scheduled to take place at the district level from October 2 to October 8. Furthermore, opposition MPs are expected to march to the Election Commission on October 6, with senior leaders planning to meet President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October to discuss these institutional concerns.
Political Reactions: BJP Slams Opposition
The opposition's stance has drawn sharp criticism from the ruling party. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan dismissed the allegations against the poll body, suggesting that the criticism is born out of political frustration. "If they win, democracy zindabad; if they lose, Election Commission murdabad," Chouhan remarked, targeting the opposition's motives for questioning the electoral process.
The INDIA bloc meeting saw representation from a wide array of parties, including the CPM, CPI, and various regional entities, signaling a unified front against what they describe as threats to the principle of "one person, one vote, one value."