‘Just the beginning’: Congress stages protests seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal

The Congress party initiated protests in various state capitals following an Indian Express report alleging that two election commissioners had repeatedly objected to Secretary-in-charge (SIR) decisions taken by the Election Commission. Demonstrations took place in Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Bhopal, Patna, Guwahati, and other cities.

Several Congress leaders were arrested, including Gaurav Gogoi from Assam and Ajay Rai from Uttar Pradesh. Police employed force against protestors and clashes erupted in Lucknow when activists attempted to march towards the UP Chief Electoral Officer's office. Congress plans to organize district-level protests throughout the country on Monday, and a Congress Working Committee meeting will be held in Delhi on Tuesday to strategize further on the call for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.

Party general secretary K C Venugopal stated that Gyanesh Kumar's removal is imminent and that Congress will ensure it happens. Venugopal asserted that the protests are merely the beginning of a larger movement to defend democracy against those attempting to destroy it. He called upon all Indians who care about safeguarding democracy to protest and pressurize the regime and its associates to hold accountable those responsible for the "daylight robbery" of their right to vote and to punish them adequately.

Rajya Sabha member and Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh also commented on the situation, expressing concern over the Modi government's aggressive tactics against protesters and the arrest of Congress leaders and supporters. Ramesh accused the government of attempting to seize control of the Election Commission by violating constitutional principles and traditions.