The INDIA bloc intensified its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday, with Opposition leaders demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and seeking greater accountability from the Election Commission of India.
The renewed mobilisation came after a series of protests in the national capital, where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge and other Opposition leaders staged demonstrations against the poll panel. Several leaders were detained during earlier protests after police prevented them from reaching their intended destinations.
The Opposition has maintained that its agitation is aimed at protecting electoral transparency and preventing the exclusion of eligible voters from electoral rolls.
Opposition Seeks Meeting With President
The INDIA bloc is also seeking an audience with President Droupadi Murmu to present its concerns over the SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission. A delegation of Opposition leaders is expected to raise the issue with the President.
Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee arrived in Delhi on Thursday ahead of the planned Opposition mobilisation. Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee said she would participate in Friday’s protest.
The participation of senior leaders from several Opposition parties is expected to lend further momentum to the campaign against Gyanesh Kumar.
Rahul Gandhi, Kharge Lead Protests
Congress leaders have accused the Election Commission of failing to adequately address allegations concerning voter deletions and electoral irregularities. Rahul Gandhi has said the Opposition will continue its agitation until the Chief Election Commissioner resigns.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also called for action over alleged electoral malpractice, emphasising the need to safeguard citizens’ constitutional right to vote.
The protests have drawn participation from several INDIA bloc constituents, including the Trinamool Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and other regional parties. Opposition leaders have also called for the use of ballot papers and demanded that the SIR process be scrapped.
Government and BJP Reject Opposition’s Approach
The Opposition’s campaign has drawn sharp criticism from the ruling BJP. Union minister Krishan Pal Gurjar questioned the need for street protests, pointing out that issues concerning the SIR exercise are already before the Supreme Court.
BJP leaders have accused the Congress of attempting to exert pressure on constitutional institutions through public demonstrations. The Opposition, however, argues that protests are a legitimate democratic means of demanding accountability.
The dispute has also triggered political exchanges over whether allegations against the Election Commission should be addressed through judicial proceedings, public mobilisation or both.
Security Tightened as Protests Continue
Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed in large numbers in central Delhi, with barricades erected around key locations ahead of further demonstrations.
The Delhi government has also ordered liquor shops across the capital to remain closed on October 10, citing the prevailing situation and inputs from Delhi Police. The measure has been described as a preventive step intended to maintain public order.
Meanwhile, protests over the SIR controversy have spread beyond Delhi, with Congress workers and Opposition supporters demonstrating in other states.
The confrontation has placed the Election Commission’s handling of electoral roll revisions at the centre of a widening political dispute. While the Opposition continues to demand Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and safeguards against the deletion of eligible voters, the government and BJP have questioned the nature and timing of the protests.
