New Delhi, October 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday outlined three demands the party has described as “non-negotiable” amid the Opposition-led campaign against the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Kharge said the Congress wants Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign, the SIR exercise to be cancelled and elections to be conducted using ballot papers.
“The Congress Party’s 3 demands are non-negotiable. First, the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar; Second, the cancellation of SIR; Third, conducting elections on Ballot Paper,” Kharge said in a post on X.
He said Congress workers and INDIA Bloc partners were holding protests across the country over the three issues and expressed support for civil society members and youth organisations campaigning on them.
The Congress chief also criticised the BJP over allegations of harassment involving women journalists during protests against the CEC in Delhi.
Three women journalists have filed complaints against Delhi Police personnel, alleging sexual misconduct while they were detained during a protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. Delhi Police said on Sunday that the complaints had been transferred to the Crime Branch for an “impartial” inquiry.
Kharge alleged that the incident reflected the BJP’s response to the protests and accused the party of resorting to distraction tactics.
The controversy over the ECI has also triggered demonstrations beyond Delhi. In Mumbai, the Opposition led by Maharashtra leaders Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray organised a ‘Garjana Morcha’ against the poll panel.
The BJP and Shiv Sena criticised the Mumbai protest, describing it as an exercise in double standards and a publicity stunt.
The Congress and its INDIA Bloc allies have continued to raise concerns over the SIR exercise and the functioning of the poll panel, while the ECI has defended its processes and decisions.
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