Maharashtra Congress Demands Resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar Amid Protests
Protests erupt statewide as Congress accuses Election Commission of bias in electoral roll revisions.
Maharashtra Congress protests against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.
Party demands resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Protests occurred in multiple districts, including Mumbai and Pune.
On September 28, 2026, the Maharashtra Congress organized widespread protests throughout the state, calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of favoring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging significant irregularities in the process.
The protests were fueled by claims that the ECI and Kumar were acting in the interests of the BJP, undermining the integrity of the electoral process. Following a report by the Indian Express, which indicated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised concerns about the SIR decisions, opposition parties intensified their criticism of Kumar's unilateral actions.
Demonstrations took place in major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, as well as in numerous districts including Kolhapur, Nashik, and Amravati. Congress workers submitted memoranda to district officials, demanding accountability for Kumar's actions. In a symbolic gesture, protesters in Amravati paraded an effigy of Kumar on a donkey, while in Thane, the effigy was made to perform sit-ups, highlighting the party's discontent.
Congress leaders, including former ministers and current MPs, participated in the protests, voicing their concerns about the alleged manipulation of electoral rolls that they claim has disenfranchised millions of voters. The party asserted that approximately 130 million voters were removed from the rolls nationwide during the SIR process, raising alarms about the potential impact on upcoming elections.
Looking ahead, the Congress party has vowed to continue its agitation until Gyanesh Kumar is removed from office and appropriate actions are taken against him. The situation remains dynamic as the party plans further demonstrations and seeks to mobilize public support against what they describe as an attack on democracy and the electoral rights of citizens.
