All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal, speaking on Sunday, October 11, 2026, launched a sharp critique against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Addressing a gathering in Kannur, Mr. Venugopal alleged that the current ruling establishment is actively weakening democratic institutions by placing individuals he described as having a criminal mindset in positions of power.
Mr. Venugopal explicitly stated that the ongoing agitation led by Opposition parties will continue until Mr. Kumar is removed from his post as the Chief Election Commissioner. He further alleged that the government is operating under the belief that power can be maintained without public support through the manipulation of electronic voting machines (EVMs), the Special Intensive Revision process, and the influence exerted over the CEC.
Describing the current Opposition-led movement as a “second freedom struggle,” the Congress MP claimed that the government has responded to dissent by deploying large numbers of police and paramilitary forces against its own citizens. He criticized the Centre for what he termed a excessive security crackdown, comparing the deployment against domestic protesters to the response to security threats along India’s borders. He specifically highlighted the presence of the Central Reserve Police Force, characterizing the government’s efforts to suppress peaceful dissent as an embarrassment to the nation.
Additionally, Mr. Venugopal accused the authorities of causing widespread public inconvenience by canceling train services used by economically disadvantaged citizens to prevent participation in protests. He asserted that such restrictions would not deter the Opposition, confirming that a major demonstration would still be organized in New Delhi. He concluded by maintaining that the government would fail to stifle the agitation, despite the various obstacles and police cordons implemented by the administration.
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