INDIA bloc demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation at Delhi rally over alleged vote theft
New Delhi: Opposition INDIA bloc leaders gathered at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities. The rally, held under the slogan “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” (Save the Vote, Save the Nation), brought together leaders and supporters of nearly two dozen political parties.
The opposition accused the Election Commission of facilitating alleged “vote chori” (vote theft) through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, voter deletions and other electoral processes. However, the BJP rejected the allegations and described the demonstration as a politically motivated attempt to discredit a constitutional institution.
The programme began with senior opposition leaders assembling at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence. They subsequently travelled towards Ramlila Maidan in open jeeps and buses, accompanied by supporters carrying party flags and banners.
Delhi Police deployed extensive security arrangements across central Delhi. Personnel from the police and Central Armed Police Forces monitored the procession, while barricades, surveillance cameras and drones helped regulate crowds.
Organisers claimed that up to 10 lakh people attended the rally. However, police estimates reportedly placed attendance at around 50,000. The competing figures could not be independently verified.
Prominent participants included Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Tejashwi Yadav, Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. Senior leaders from Left parties also attended.
Rahul Gandhi alleges widespread vote theft, targets Election Commission
Addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP and Election Commission of manipulating electoral processes in several states. He alleged irregularities in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, besides the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Rahul Gandhi claimed that approximately 13.5 crore voter names had been deleted after the general elections. He argued that such large-scale changes raised serious questions about electoral integrity and the legitimacy of the ruling alliance’s mandate.
Describing alleged vote theft as an attack on democracy, Rahul Gandhi said it amounted to stealing the voice of ordinary citizens. He also accused CEC Gyanesh Kumar of facilitating electoral manipulation and demanded accountability.
Rahul Gandhi warned that opposition parties would pursue legal action against those responsible for alleged irregularities. He also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of benefiting from the electoral process.
However, he maintained that the opposition’s campaign would remain peaceful and democratic. He said protecting voting rights and the Constitution was more important than political or religious differences.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav described the gathering as the “Haldighati of democracy”. He predicted that voters in Uttar Pradesh would reject the BJP in the 2027 Assembly elections.
Yadav also alleged widespread voter deletions in Uttar Pradesh. He accused the ruling party of attempting to influence electoral outcomes through changes to voter lists.
West Bengal’s former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee similarly criticised the SIR exercise. She claimed that more than one crore voter names had been removed in her state and accused the Election Commission of acting unfairly.
Banerjee said the opposition would respond through democratic and political means. She also questioned the role of the Chief Election Commissioner and vowed to continue challenging the electoral revision process.
Other speakers, including Kharge, Tejashwi Yadav and Left leaders, described the alleged irregularities as a threat to constitutional rights. They also raised concerns over unemployment, inflation and the political representation of marginalised communities.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders rejected the opposition’s allegations and questioned the rally’s attendance figures. Union Minister J P Nadda and BJP MP Sambit Patra accused the INDIA bloc of undermining public confidence in democratic institutions.
The BJP also organised counter-protests, including a programme commemorating victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Party leaders accused the Congress and its allies of using electoral allegations to divert attention from their political setbacks.
The ruling party maintained that the SIR exercise was intended to improve electoral rolls and prevent irregularities. It also accused opposition parties of opposing measures designed to identify ineligible voters.
