Opposition Targets CEC Gyanesh Kumar: Congress Announces Nationwide Protests, Rahul Gandhi Demands Resignation

New Delhi: Opposition parties have intensified their criticism of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, with Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.

The Congress is set to stage protests across the country on Friday, while several opposition parties, including the RJD, Samajwadi Party and TMC, have expressed support for the campaign against the Election Commission.

Rahul Gandhi Accuses CEC of Electoral Irregularities

On Thursday, Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the Chief Election Commissioner was responsible for what he described as “vote theft” and the “subversion of the law.”

Gandhi demanded Kumar’s resignation and alleged that actions taken by the Election Commission were against the national interest. He also claimed that he had substantial information on the matter and said its implications would become clear soon.

His remarks came after a newspaper investigation reportedly claimed that the two other Election Commissioners had raised objections on 14 occasions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in different parts of the country over the past 10 months.

The allegations have not been independently established by these claims alone, and the Election Commission’s position is relevant to any assessment of the controversy.

RJD, SP and TMC Back Opposition Campaign

Several opposition parties have rallied behind Rahul Gandhi’s criticism.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has announced plans to stage demonstrations and burn effigies at district headquarters in Patna on Friday. The party is also demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and has raised objections concerning elections in states including Bihar and West Bengal.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has also called for Kumar’s resignation. Yadav alleged that irregularities originated within the Election Commission and accused the CEC of acting in the interests of the BJP.

Priyanka Gandhi Demands Action Against CEC

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has also stepped up criticism of Gyanesh Kumar. She has called for legal action against the CEC and alleged that voter names were improperly removed on a large scale.

Priyanka Gandhi claimed that around 13 crore names were removed from voter lists and alleged that the process was deliberately conducted in a manner that affected the electoral process.

These claims are part of the opposition’s allegations and would require verification against official electoral records and the Election Commission’s response.

Nationwide Congress Protests Planned

The Congress has announced demonstrations in several states on Friday over the issue.

Protests are planned in Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Delhi and Punjab, among other states. In Punjab, Congress leader Sachin Pilot is expected to lead the demonstration.

In Delhi, Congress workers led by Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav and AICC Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin are scheduled to protest outside the Election Commission’s office.

A protest has also been announced in Madhya Pradesh from 12 noon.

Indian Youth Congress Plans Delhi Demonstration

The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) has announced a separate demonstration in Delhi. The organisation plans to protest outside the Election Commission’s office from 1 pm, demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Left Parties Announce Week-Long Protests

Left parties have also joined the opposition campaign.

The CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML)-Liberation, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) have issued a joint statement announcing protests between September 26 and October 2, with the resignation of the CEC among their demands.

CJP Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has also called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. The party has issued a 48-hour ultimatum and warned of a nationwide agitation, including what it described as “Jantar Mantar 2.0”, if the CEC does not step down.

With protests planned across multiple states, the confrontation between opposition parties and the Election Commission is set to intensify. The controversy centres on allegations concerning electoral roll revisions and the conduct of the electoral process, with the opposition demanding accountability from the poll panel.