Congress vows to fight until CEC Gyanesh Kumar quits, ECI protest continues
Synopsis
Congress and the INDIA bloc are turning up the heat on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar with an escalating agitation and a Supreme Court petition, backed by an allegation that over 13.5 crore voter names were deleted in an SIR exercise. Monday's protest in Delhi, described by a 30-year veteran MP as unlike anything he had seen, signals this confrontation is far from over.
Key Takeaways
Congress leaders on 13 October 2026 vowed to continue their agitation until CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns.
The INDIA bloc held a large protest march toward the Supreme Court in New Delhi on Monday, described by MPs as historically large.
UP Congress President Aradhana Mishra Mona alleged more than 13.5 crore voter names were deleted under the SIR exercise — a charge not yet addressed by the ECI in available reports.
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput confirmed a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court over alleged electoral irregularities.
The outcome of the Supreme Court petition is expected to shape the next phase of the opposition's campaign against the Election Commission.
Congress leaders on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, declared that their agitation against the Election Commission of India (ECI) would continue until Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar resigned from his post and justice was delivered. The announcement came a day after the INDIA bloc held a large protest march towards the Supreme Court in New Delhi, which leaders described as a historic demonstration of public concern over alleged electoral irregularities.
Leaders Declare Battle Far From Over
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari affirmed that the opposition alliance remained united in its resolve to defend democratic institutions. 'The INDIA bloc stands united to defend Mother India's democracy and protect voting rights. We will continue to fight this battle. The number of people who came yesterday to support us was historic,' Tiwari said.
Congress MP Imran Masood invoked his decades in politics to underline the scale of Monday's turnout. 'Just look at the situation in Delhi yesterday; I had never seen anything like it in my life. In my 30-35 years of political life, I had never witnessed such a scene in Delhi. There was a peculiar atmosphere yesterday; it seems people have realised the situation,' he said.
The 13.5 Crore Deleted Names Allegation
Uttar Pradesh Congress President Aradhana Mishra Mona levelled a serious charge, alleging that more than 13.5 crore names had been removed from electoral rolls under the pretext of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. She argued that stripping citizens of voting rights struck at the constitutional foundations of democracy.
'More than 13.5 crore people's names have been deleted under the pretext of SIR. These are the people who are citizens of this country. Most of the petitions that were filed were also accepted. I want to ask: if people are deprived of or stripped of the right to vote, which is the greatest right in a democracy, will democracy survive? Will the Constitution survive?' Mishra said. It is important to note that these are opposition allegations; the Election Commission has not responded to them in the available source material.
Supreme Court Petition and 'Vote Chori' Charge
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput said the party had already filed a petition in the Supreme Court and expressed hope of obtaining relief. He alleged that CEC Gyanesh Kumar was personally responsible for what he termed 'vote chori' — a phrase broadly translated as the theft of votes. 'To save the Constitution and democracy, and to prevent 'vote chori' that is being done by Gyanesh Kumar, we will continue this fight. We have filed a petition in the Supreme Court and hope that we will get justice,' Rajput said.
Context and What Comes Next
This is the latest escalation in a sustained opposition campaign questioning the neutrality of the Election Commission. The INDIA bloc's Supreme Court petition is expected to be a focal point in the coming days. Notably, the Congress-led offensive coincides with a broader opposition effort to build momentum ahead of several state elections. Whether the Supreme Court admits the petition and what relief, if any, it grants will determine the next phase of this political standoff.
Point of View
But the central allegation — 13.5 crore deleted voter names — demands independent verification before it can be treated as fact rather than political charge. The Supreme Court petition is the real test: if admitted and examined on merits, it could compel the ECI to produce data that has so far been contested only in press conferences. What mainstream coverage underplays is the structural risk this campaign poses regardless of its legal outcome — sustained, high-decibel attacks on the credibility of the ECI, even if ultimately unsubstantiated, erode public confidence in electoral institutions that India's democracy depends on.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Congress protesting against the Election Commission of India?
Congress and the INDIA bloc are protesting over alleged electoral irregularities, including a claim that over 13.5 crore voter names were deleted from rolls under a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. They are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and have filed a petition in the Supreme Court.
What happened at the INDIA bloc protest march in New Delhi?
The INDIA bloc held a protest march towards the Supreme Court in New Delhi on Monday, 13 October 2026. Congress MPs described the turnout as historic, with Imran Masood saying he had not witnessed anything comparable in his 30-35 years of political life.
What is the allegation about 13.5 crore deleted voter names?
Uttar Pradesh Congress President Aradhana Mishra Mona alleged that more than 13.5 crore names were removed from electoral rolls under the pretext of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. She argued this amounted to stripping citizens of their constitutional right to vote. The Election Commission has not publicly responded to this allegation in available reports.
Has Congress approached the Supreme Court over the ECI controversy?
Yes. Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput confirmed that the party has filed a petition in the Supreme Court over alleged electoral irregularities and expressed hope of obtaining justice through the judicial process.
What is the INDIA bloc demanding from the Election Commission?
The INDIA bloc is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that he is responsible for electoral malpractice including what Congress leaders have called 'vote chori' (vote theft). The opposition says it will not halt its agitation until these demands are met.
