Political tensions intensified in New Delhi on Thursday as opposition parties belonging to the INDIA bloc stepped up their protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstrations are linked to the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, have alleged irregularities in the voter-list revision process and have called for greater transparency. The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected the opposition’s allegations.
On October 8, INDIA bloc lawmakers attempted to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, but Delhi Police stopped and detained several protesters before they could reach the planned demonstration site. The action came a day after opposition leaders had also been detained during a protest in the capital.
The political standoff has continued to grow, with opposition parties maintaining that the revision of electoral rolls requires greater scrutiny. Congress has also observed October 8 as a “Black Day” in response to the recent detentions and its concerns over the electoral-roll exercise.
Security arrangements have meanwhile been strengthened across central Delhi. According to reports, additional Central Armed Police Forces have been made available to assist Delhi Police with maintaining law and order during the ongoing demonstrations. Security has also been increased around the residence of CEC Gyanesh Kumar following fresh threat inputs.
The controversy has now become a significant political confrontation, with the opposition continuing its campaign for accountability while the Election Commission maintains its position on the electoral-roll revision process. Further protests are expected as opposition parties continue to press their demands.
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