INDIA Bloc marches on ECI, demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation
Synopsis
The INDIA bloc took its demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation to the streets on Tuesday, marching from Parliament toward ECI headquarters in New Delhi — only to be stopped by police and forced into a dharna. The conspicuous absence of DMK and AAP raises pointed questions about the coalition's unity even as it claims to be fighting for democracy.
Key Takeaways
INDIA bloc MPs marched from Parliament to the ECI headquarters in New Delhi on 6 October 2026 .
The march demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar .
Leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge , Rahul Gandhi , Akhilesh Yadav , Priyanka Gandhi , and Supriya Sule participated.
DMK and AAP did not join the protest march, highlighting divisions within the bloc.
Police stopped the march before it reached the ECI office; leaders then staged a dharna .
Section 163 of the BNS was imposed around Jantar Mantar ; barricades were placed outside the ECI office.
Opposition INDIA bloc MPs on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, marched from Parliament to the headquarters of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in New Delhi, waving Tricolours and holding banners that read 'Save Democracy', to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration marks one of the most direct opposition confrontations with the poll body in recent memory.
How the Protest Unfolded
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, led the march alongside several other INDIA bloc leaders. The procession was stopped before reaching the ECI office, upon which the leaders staged a dharna at the point of interception.
Among those seen raising slogans as the march proceeded were Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee, and SP MP Dharmendra Yadav. Slogans were raised against the CEC, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Notable Absences
Notably, two key INDIA bloc constituents — the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) — did not participate in the march. Their absence signals potential fault lines within the opposition coalition at a critical political juncture.
What Protest Leaders Said
Congress MP Pawan Khera, holding a 'Save Democracy' banner, said, 'This is just the beginning. This issue will go a long way.' Congress leader Ragini Nayak added, 'This is the time to save democracy and protect our democratic process from the assault on the Constitution of India and vote theft.'
Security Arrangements and Legal Provisions
Delhi Police and other security forces were placed on high alert ahead of the march. Barricades were erected outside the ECI office, and Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was imposed in and around Jantar Mantar, restricting certain gatherings and activities in the area. Authorities appealed to the public to cooperate with security arrangements.
'The police's objective is to maintain peace and order during the protest and prevent any untoward incidents,' officials said. The administration confirmed that necessary crowd-control measures had been put in place.
With the INDIA bloc vowing to escalate pressure, the standoff between the opposition and the Election Commission is set to intensify in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Framing electoral administration itself as the adversary. That is a sharp escalation in opposition rhetoric. Yet the absence of DMK and AAP undermines the unity narrative the bloc has been trying to project: two major constituents sitting out a flagship demonstration is not a footnote, it is a fracture. The demand for a sitting CEC's resignation without a formal institutional mechanism to enforce it also risks being dismissed as political theatre unless the bloc follows through with concrete parliamentary or legal action.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the INDIA bloc march to the ECI headquarters?
The INDIA bloc marched to the Election Commission of India's headquarters in New Delhi on 6 October 2026 to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Opposition leaders accused the poll body of undermining democratic processes and alleged vote theft.
Who led the INDIA bloc protest march?
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi led the march. They were accompanied by Akhilesh Yadav, Supriya Sule, Priyanka Gandhi, Kalyan Banerjee, and Dharmendra Yadav, among others.
Why did DMK and AAP not join the march?
The DMK and the Aam Aadmi Party did not participate in the INDIA bloc's protest march on 6 October. No official reason was provided in reports, but their absence has been widely noted as a sign of unresolved differences within the opposition coalition.
What happened when marchers reached the ECI office?
Police stopped the INDIA bloc march before it could reach the ECI headquarters. Leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi then staged a dharna at the point where they were halted.
What security measures were put in place during the march?
Delhi Police placed security forces on high alert, erected barricades outside the ECI office, and imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita around Jantar Mantar. Authorities appealed to the public to cooperate with crowd-control arrangements.
