Malappuram (Keralam), Sep 25 AICC general secretary K C Venugopal on Friday demanded the arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and said protests would continue until he resigns from the post.
His remarks came amid a newspaper report of differences within the three-member Election Commission over several decisions and instructions relating to electoral-roll revision, including the deletion and addition of names, changes to forms for new voters and access to voter data.
Speaking to reporters, Venugopal described the developments as “anti-democratic and illegal” and alleged that such actions could not be tolerated in India’s electoral system.
“There hasn’t been a political earthquake beyond this in recent times. We will not stay quiet about this. There will be nationwide protests over this,” he said.
Venugopal said protests were being held in Delhi, Keralam and other states and would continue in the coming days until Kumar and another election official, Rajiv, stepped down.
“Resigning alone is not enough; he must be arrested. What he did is a criminal offence; he must be arrested,” he said, adding that all decisions taken by Kumar, including those relating to the Special Intensive Revision, should be revoked.
Referring to the reported differences within the Election Commission, Venugopal said two senior officials had written a letter raising legal concerns, but alleged that Kumar acted without heeding them.
He said the INDIA alliance would meet in the coming days to discuss the issue and chalk out a plan for joint protests.
Venugopal alleged that the BJP won the 2024 Lok Sabha, Haryana, Maharashtra and Bihar elections through manipulation.
“They did not win the 2024 parliamentary elections. They did not win the Haryana election. They did not win the Maharashtra election. They did not win the Bihar election; they won through manipulation,” he alleged.
Venugopal alleged that Kumar was “the biggest criminal” involved in the alleged manipulation and said the Election Commission had a duty to create conditions for free and fair elections.
He targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that they were using Kumar to overcome public opposition to the government through “artificial manipulation”.
“Doesn’t the poor man here need to live? Shouldn’t we oust Modi and Shah, who constantly pit people against each other? They know they will be ousted. They know the people are against them. They know the youth are entirely against them. The artificial manipulation being done right now using Gyanesh Kumar is to overcome that,” Venugopal said.
He said the Congress would hold protests on Friday and Monday, while its Working Committee would meet on Tuesday to discuss the issue.
He added that the INDIA alliance would also meet in the coming days.
Venugopal said democracy was the foundation of the nation and warned that its destruction would have serious consequences.
“I’m talking about the most important thing regarding the nation—the existence of the nation. The existence of the nation is democracy. If this democracy is also destroyed, this nation will be ruined,” he said.
(PTI News)
