Congress to hold statewide protest on Sept 28 demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's removal
Maharashtra Congress announces a statewide protest on September 28 demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's dismissal and arrest over the SIR process.
The political climate around the Election Commission's functioning has heated up. Over the SIR process and changes to the voter list, the Congress has levelled serious allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. On the same issue, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress has announced a statewide protest on Monday, September 28. The party is demanding that Gyanesh Kumar be dismissed from service and arrested.
According to the Congress statement, sharp protests will be held in all districts of Maharashtra. The protests will involve the party's leaders, office-bearers, MLAs, MPs and workers.
The Congress has also raised questions over the Election Commission's SIR drive. The party alleges that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is working in a manner that benefits the ruling BJP. The Congress has said that removing the names of eligible citizens from the voter list is a serious matter for democracy. Citing various figures on changes to voter names across the country, the party has demanded a transparent inquiry into the entire process. However, the claim made in the statement, that over 13 crore names were removed nationwide and over 3 crore in Maharashtra, is yet to be independently confirmed.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has previously levelled allegations of vote theft, and the Congress has now cited that same allegation to target the Election Commission's manner of functioning. The party says the electoral process should be fair and transparent.
Meanwhile, it has also emerged that two commissioners of the Election Commission have registered objections over decisions related to voter registration, deletion of names and the voter list. However, the Commission has clarified that internal discussion and differing opinions are part of the institutional process.
The Congress has announced the protest while demanding the dismissal of Gyanesh Kumar. The party has said that a district-wise protest on September 28 will be used to raise its voice against the Election Commission's functioning.
Political circles are now watching how the statewide protest is received and what stance the Election Commission takes on it.
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