Congress MPs Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation Amid Voter Roll Dispute

The demonstration, which saw several opposition MPs detained, centers on allegations that the Election Commission is permitting the removal of thousands of voters in specific constituencies. Gaikwad argued that these actions threaten the fundamental right to vote, characterizing the CEC’s conduct as a departure from his constitutional mandate. While the opposition maintains that these deletions are targeted, the political friction is further complicated by counter-allegations regarding the process itself.

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge shifted the focus toward the legality of the requests for mass deletions. He challenged the INDIA bloc to expose letters from their own party leaders and corporators that allegedly request the removal of thousands of names from electoral rolls. Kharge questioned the motive behind using pre-printed forms to target thousands of voters at once, urging the Election Commission to investigate whether such mass-deletion requests meet legal standards or constitute a deliberate attempt to manipulate constituency demographics.

Following their release from New Police Lines in Kingsway Camp, opposition leaders signaled that the protest is far from over. Congress leader Pawan Khera warned that the Commissioner would eventually regret his refusal to engage with the delegation, while Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav vowed that the campaign would persist until Kumar steps down. The opposition maintains that their detention while attempting to meet with the Commission was a violation of their right to peaceful protest.