Congress protests CEC Gyanesh Kumar removal in Ahmedabad, Delhi
Synopsis
Gujarat Congress took its protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar to Ahmedabad's streets on 8 October, while in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra faced FIRs after being detained during a march. With the Election Commission rejecting opposition allegations over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, this three-day standoff is shaping into a direct confrontation between the opposition bloc and India's top poll authority.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Congress held a demonstration in Ahmedabad on 8 October 2026 demanding the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar .
The protest was led by Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda and organised near the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar statue in Sarangpur.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained in Delhi and subsequently face FIRs linked to Wednesday's protest.
Opposition parties allege the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls compromises voter list integrity; the Election Commission has rejected these claims.
On Thursday, opposition MPs were permitted to reach Rajghat after two days of movement restrictions in Delhi.
The Gujarat Congress on Thursday, 8 October 2026, staged a demonstration in Ahmedabad demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, as opposition parties intensified nationwide protests over concerns about electoral processes and democratic institutions. The demonstration mirrored simultaneous protests unfolding in Delhi, marking a coordinated opposition push against the poll body's leadership.
The Ahmedabad Demonstration
The protest was organised near the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in the Sarangpur area of Ahmedabad. Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda, Ahmedabad city Congress president Sonal Patel, and other party leaders and workers attended the sit-in. Protesters raised slogans calling for Kumar's removal, protection of voting rights, conduct of elections through ballot papers, and the safeguarding of the Constitution and democratic values.
Addressing the gathering, Chavda termed 7 October a 'black day' and expressed concern over action taken against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during protests in the national capital. He urged citizens to come together to defend constitutional and democratic rights, arguing that leaders raising issues of voting rights should be allowed to voice their concerns without police intervention.
Detentions, FIRs and Delhi Protests
The Ahmedabad protest came amid escalating tensions in Delhi, where opposition demonstrations have continued for over three days. On Thursday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted opposition MPs before they proceeded to Rajghat for a protest programme — a movement that was eventually permitted after restrictions on previous days.
Earlier in the week, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several opposition leaders were detained while attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar. The opposition alleged that police blocked their lawful protest; Delhi Police denied those allegations. Police subsequently registered FIRs against both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in connection with Wednesday's protest.
What the Opposition Is Demanding
Opposition parties have been demanding Kumar's resignation over concerns related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging the exercise undermines the integrity of the voters' list. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rejected those allegations, maintaining that the SIR is a routine and lawful exercise.
The ECI had earlier stated that no political party formally sought an appointment through authorised representatives by 4 pm on 6 October. It subsequently received information from Delhi Police that a delegation led by Rahul Gandhi wished to meet the Commission and submit a memorandum.
Wider Context and What's Next
This is the third consecutive day of coordinated opposition demonstrations, spanning multiple states and the national capital. The protests signal a broader political confrontation over the independence and conduct of the Election Commission ahead of upcoming state electoral cycles. How the government and the ECI respond to the formal demands — and whether opposition parties escalate further — will shape the next phase of this standoff.
Point of View
Regardless of their legal merit. What is conspicuously absent from the public debate is a detailed, evidence-based rebuttal of the specific SIR concerns: the ECI has rejected the allegations, but without granular data on voter deletions and additions, the controversy will persist. The real danger is that prolonged protests without substantive engagement risk hardening positions on both sides, making a credible, bipartisan audit of the electoral rolls — the one thing that could actually resolve the dispute — politically impossible.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are opposition parties demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's removal?
Opposition parties are demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which they allege undermines the integrity of voter lists. The Election Commission has rejected these allegations, calling the SIR a routine and lawful exercise.
What happened to Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during the Delhi protests?
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained while attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Delhi Police subsequently registered FIRs against both of them in connection with Wednesday's protest, though the opposition contested the police account of events.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to update and verify voter registration data. Opposition parties have raised concerns that the current SIR exercise could result in wrongful deletions from voter lists, potentially disenfranchising voters.
Who attended the Gujarat Congress protest in Ahmedabad?
The protest in Ahmedabad on 8 October was attended by Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda, Ahmedabad city Congress president Sonal Patel, and other party leaders and workers. It was held near the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in the Sarangpur area.
Were opposition MPs allowed to protest in Delhi on 8 October?
Yes, on Thursday, opposition MPs were allowed to reach Rajghat and hold a brief demonstration. This followed two days of restrictions during which leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained before reaching their intended protest site.
