Sapkal warns Congress workers will blacken CEC Gyanesh Kumar's face if he visits Maharashtra

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal has taken a hard line against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Sapkal levelled serious allegations against Kumar and said the Congress would launch an agitation if he came to Maharashtra.

Sapkal warned, "If Gyanesh Kumar comes to Maharashtra, Congress workers will not let him set foot here. If he comes, we will blacken his face." The statement is likely to heat up the state's political climate.

Sapkal alleged that Kumar is showing bias in the election process. According to him, the Chief Election Commissioner, despite holding a constitutional post, is working like an agent of the BJP.

The Congress has been continually raising questions about changes in the voter list, the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) and the rights of voters. The party has taken the path of agitation across the country on these issues.

Sapkal claimed that the demand for Kumar's resignation is rising from across the country. Opposition MPs led by Rahul Gandhi had tried to march towards the Election Commission's office. It is reported that police detained Rahul Gandhi and other leaders during the protest.

Meanwhile, Kumar's visit to Chhattisgarh on October 7 and 8 has been postponed. The office of Chhattisgarh's Chief Electoral Officer said the visit had been put off for "unavoidable reasons". A new date has not yet been announced.

Harshwardhan Sapkal alleged that unlawful changes were made to Form 6. He claimed that as a result, young people who had turned 18 were denied the right to vote.

Sapkal said the Congress would continue its fight for voters' rights and a fair election process. The opposition is objecting to the SIR process, while the Election Commission has maintained that the exercise of reviewing voter lists is necessary.

Political agitation against Kumar has also intensified in Maharashtra, including Mumbai. Earlier, a march against the Chief Election Commissioner had been held in Mumbai under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray.

Sapkal's statement indicates that the political confrontation in the state will sharpen further. The friction between the Congress and the ruling BJP over Kumar and the Election Commission is expected to grow.