INDIA Bloc Demands CEC Resignation Amid Electoral Roll Disputes

Editorial Deep Dive & Context

The INDIA opposition bloc has intensified its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation due to alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The conflict escalated on October 6 when Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, alongside MPs from the Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress, attempted a protest march to the Election Commission headquarters in New Delhi. Police detained several leaders at Akashvani Bhawan, leading to a standoff where protesters sat on the road and climbed barricades. Concurrently, political realignments occurred in Tamil Nadu as the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) joined the INDIA bloc meeting hosted by TNCC President Manickam Tagore. This move marks a significant shift, with DMK notably absent from the gathering. The alliance plans massive 'Save Democracy' protests across Tamil Nadu districts on October 13-15. The controversy is fueled by reports that ECI members Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections 14 times regarding SIR decisions. While the CPI alleges misleading Supreme Court statements about Form 6, the ECI maintains unanimous decision-making. The opposition asserts these actions threaten democratic integrity, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for perceived interference

News Sources (6)