INDIA Bloc Protest: Congress Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Cancellation of SIR

The party has also called for elections to be conducted using ballot papers, alleging that the current electoral process is not ensuring free and fair elections.

Speaking to IANS, Congress MP Imran Masood said Kumar should step down, alleging that his actions had undermined public confidence in the Election Commission as an independent and impartial institution.

Masood also criticised parties that have decided not to participate in the INDIA bloc protest, including the Aam Aadmi Party, DMK and BJD.

He said parties that continue to stand with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would participate in the political fight, while those staying away would face the consequences of their decision.

Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat said the Opposition's protest was primarily directed against the SIR exercise and aimed at seeking the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

Bhagat said INDIA bloc parties were gathering at Makar Dwar as part of the protest and reiterated their demand that the SIR exercise be cancelled. He also called for the use of ballot papers, alleging that elections were not being conducted fairly.

Congress MP Karamvir Singh Boudh accused some individuals holding constitutional positions of misusing their authority and acting arbitrarily.

He alleged that such actions were affecting citizens' constitutional right to vote, referring to the voting rights guaranteed under India's democratic framework.

Boudh further claimed that people in different parts of the country believed that legitimate names had been wrongly removed from electoral rolls during the SIR exercise, while some incorrect entries were subsequently corrected.

Meanwhile, Opposition INDIA bloc MPs are scheduled to march from Parliament to the Election Commission headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday over allegations of “vote theft” linked to the revision of electoral rolls.

The protest is part of a wider campaign by Opposition parties targeting CEC Gyanesh Kumar and raising concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission and the electoral roll revision process.

INDIA bloc leaders are also expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu to present their concerns regarding the SIR exercise.

The decision to hold the protest followed a meeting of 19 Opposition parties on September 30, after which the bloc announced plans for a coordinated demonstration against the Election Commission and the electoral roll revision process.