New Delhi, September 29 (Daily Kiran) : Members of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), along with other leftist groups, gathered outside the Election Commission of India (ECI) office in New Delhi on September 29. They called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar due to concerns over the Voter List Revision (VLR) process.
CPI-M leader Brinda Karat highlighted that approximately 130 million citizens have been removed from the voter list. She described the current situation as worse than during British rule, emphasizing the severity of the issue.
CPI-M General Secretary M.A. Baby also criticized the CEC, stating that Gyanesh Kumar cannot remain in his position and that they would ensure he steps down. This demonstration is part of a broader opposition campaign against the VLR process and demands action against the CEC.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge joined the chorus of dissent, alleging irregularities in the VLR and calling for Gyanesh Kumar’s immediate removal. He also demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of exerting pressure on the Election Commission.
Speaking at a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, Kharge announced that the party would intensify its campaign against the CEC and the government, highlighting the issue in both public demonstrations and parliamentary discussions.
On September 25, Congress led nationwide protests demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, accusing him of compromising the integrity of the electoral process. Civil society groups and other organizations also held parallel protests in Delhi and several states.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition challenging the CEC’s actions and questioning the validity of the nationwide VLR next week. The controversy deepened after a major Indian daily reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections to VLR-related decisions at least 14 times over the past ten months. They claimed that some decisions were made without their knowledge or recommendations.
The Election Commission has asserted that its decisions regarding the VLR were made in accordance with the law, framing internal disagreements as part of standard deliberative processes.
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