The Congress-led opposition has initiated nationwide protests demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of electoral misconduct.
Congress-led opposition on Monday launched a nationwide protest, building up pressure on the Centre and demanding the sacking of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar amid the ‘vote chori’ row. The Congress and other opposition parties have been demanding action against Gyanesh Kumar after reports surfaced that two Election Commissioners had raised 14 objections over a 10-month period over the ongoing electoral revision exercise in the country, including the inclusion of Form 6 and other issues. After these reports surfaced, the Opposition has questioned the authenticity of the elections, renewing its ‘vote chori’ allegation over the deletion of lakhs of voters. It has also alleged that the ‘dissent’ within the poll body over SIR undermines the sanctity of elections, demanding the rolling back of the voter list to pre-SIR status, cancelling elections conducted under Gyanesh Kumar, and arresting and impeaching the incumbent CEC.
P Chidambaram Targets Modi Govt Over SIR
As Congress resorted to countrywide protest, former Union Minister and senior party leader P Chidambaram, on Monday, said that workers from all over the country protested against vote chori of the ECI and, in particular, against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
“We protested in Karaikudi, Sivagangai District of Tamil Nadu. There was great resonance among the people and anger against the ECI. 13,30,00,000 adults have been removed from the electoral rolls… Going by the experience and precedent of West Bengal, if these persons appealed to a Tribunal, 91% of the Appeals are likely to be allowed and the names will be restored to the electoral rolls,” said P Chidambaram.
Speaking further, the senior Congress leader said that the ECI must bear sole responsibility and blame for the illegal mass disenfranchisement. The SIR exercise is, step by step, being exposed as a fraud… SIR must be suspended immediately, and ways and means must be explored to redress the victims of the mass disenfranchisement.
Delhi Congress Unit Corners Centre Over ‘Vote Chori’ Allegation
Delhi Congress workers gathered at the party office on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg and tried to march to Nirvachan Sadan, but police stopped them by erecting barricades.
The party alleged that residents, particularly those in JJ clusters and unauthorised colonies, struggled to produce documents the poll authorities sought within the stipulated period.
Congress Youth Wing Protest Outside Gyanesh Kumar’s Residence
Upping the ante against the government, Congress student wing National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) also protested outside the Election Commission (EC) office to demand Kumar’s resignation.
At the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) protest, some protesters wore masks of Kumar and had their hands bound in metal chains.