New Delhi, September 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday demanded the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of acting at the behest of the Union government amid the ongoing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Addressing the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting convened to finalise the party’s strategy on SIR, Kharge alleged that changes to electoral rolls were undermining citizens’ voting rights and questioned the Election Commission’s handling of the revision process.
Kharge alleged that the CEC had become a “puppet” of the Modi government and claimed that voter names were being removed from electoral rolls at the direction of the BJP and the Centre. He said Kumar had “no right to remain in his position” and should be removed immediately.
The Congress chief said the party’s campaign was aimed at protecting voters’ rights, the Constitution and the independence of institutions. He alleged that the credibility of institutions responsible for safeguarding the electoral process had been weakened.
Kharge also referred to concerns raised by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi regarding alleged duplicate voters, doubtful addresses, multiple voters registered at the same address and Form 6 entries. He claimed that greater attention to these issues by the Election Commission could have prevented the present controversy.
Questioning the SIR process, Kharge asked why two Election Commissioners were allegedly excluded from the Election Commission’s internal portal and questioned who took the decision to initiate the revision exercise.
The Congress placed five demands concerning the electoral roll revision process. These include public disclosure of complete data relating to major changes in voter lists; providing voters whose names are deleted with information and an opportunity to appeal; timely access for political parties to voter lists and related data; independent and prompt investigations into serious discrepancies; and greater transparency in critical electoral data and decision-making.
Kharge said the Congress’ concerns were not intended to weaken constitutional institutions but to ensure that the Election Commission remained credible and independent enough for both the ruling party and the Opposition to have confidence in its decisions.
He also accused the government of attempting to restrict the voting rights of young people and criticised changes allegedly made to Form 6, which is used for inclusion of names in electoral rolls.
Referring to the upcoming elections in five states, Kharge said protecting voters’ rights and maintaining confidence in the electoral process were essential for public faith in democracy.
Kharge further alleged that two Election Commissioners had described the CEC’s actions as “arbitrary and unfair”. Reiterating his demand for Kumar’s removal, he also called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation on “moral grounds”, alleging that the CEC had acted under government pressure.
The Congress president urged party leaders and workers to continue raising the issue from the grassroots to Parliament, stressing the party’s demands for transparent voter lists, fair elections and independent institutions.
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