Opposition Alliance Discusses Action Plan Against Chief Election Commissioner in Jammu

Jammu, October 3 (Daily Kiran) : A meeting of the opposition alliance, known as the Indi Alliance, took place in Jammu on Saturday to devise a strategy in response to allegations concerning the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and to call for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The gathering was led by senior Congress leader and former minister Raman Bhalla. Attendees discussed various electoral issues and the ongoing campaign aimed at holding the Election Commission accountable.

The Indi Alliance has accused the Election Commission of being a victim of “institutional capture.” They have demanded the removal of Gyanesh Kumar, called for legal action against him, and even requested his arrest.

This meeting occurs amid protests and political events by Congress and other opposition parties regarding alleged irregularities in the electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir. On September 28, Congress held demonstrations across the region, with Bhalla emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability within the Election Commission.

Participants at the meeting explored further actions and mobilization strategies under the alliance’s campaign focusing on electoral and democratic issues. The Indi Alliance has initiated a campaign demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and has accused the Election Commission of electoral malpractices, particularly regarding the “Special Intensive Review” (SIR) process that allegedly led to the removal of over 13 million voter names.

Opposition leaders criticized Gyanesh Kumar for failing to address serious questions related to the mass removal of voters and have begun the process of filing an impeachment notice against him.

From October 2 to 8, the alliance is conducting a nationwide campaign that includes district-level “Save Democracy” rallies and public demonstrations. On October 6, opposition MPs announced a march to the Election Commission office in Delhi.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders have called for a return to paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and for the use of the voter list prior to the SIR in future elections.