Bengaluru: The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) will stage protests at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park and district headquarters on September 26, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and criminal action against him, KPCC media and communications department chairman Ramesh Babu said.
He said the protests were being organised as part of the Congress campaign over its allegations of “vote theft”, following directions from the All India Congress Committee and under the leadership of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
Congress steps up attack on EC
Ramesh Babu said the Congress had accused the Election Commission of acting contrary to constitutional and democratic principles and alleged that Kumar’s functioning reflected an authoritarian approach and bias in favour of the BJP.
These are political allegations made by the Congress. The Election Commission is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering elections in India.
The party has also raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The issue has intensified politically in recent days, with opposition parties questioning aspects of the revision process. Recent reports have also highlighted disagreements within the three-member Election Commission over certain SIR-related decisions.
District-level programmes
Ramesh Babu said state and district Congress spokespersons had been directed to hold press conferences or issue statements in their respective districts to explain the party’s position.
He said programmes would also be organised at district headquarters on September 26 and 28 in coordination with District Congress Committee presidents and ministers in charge of the respective districts.
The spokespersons have been asked to highlight the party’s demand for Kumar’s removal and criminal action against him, he said.
The KPCC has also asked district and state spokespersons to share links to news reports, coverage and videos related to the protests and party programmes with its media and communications department.
The Congress’s demand for Kumar’s removal comes amid a wider opposition campaign against the Election Commission. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has also publicly sought Kumar’s resignation and called for a fresh SIR in the state.