INDIA bloc MPs march to ECI, demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation
Synopsis
INDIA bloc MPs took their fight directly to the Election Commission of India on Tuesday, demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar step down over the controversial Special Intensive Revision exercise. But with AAP, DMK, and BJD absent, the march also exposed the fault lines within the Opposition alliance itself — raising questions about whether the bloc can sustain coordinated pressure on a key constitutional body.
Key Takeaways
INDIA bloc MPs marched to the Election Commission of India in New Delhi on 6 October 2026 .
The protest demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee and Congress MP Imran Masood were among the most vocal voices against the CEC at the demonstration.
AAP , DMK , and BJD skipped the protest, highlighting coordination gaps within the INDIA bloc.
SP MP Virendra Singh confirmed participation was on direct orders from SP president Akhilesh Yadav .
Several lawmakers of the INDIA bloc marched towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) in New Delhi on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the poll body's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The demonstration drew MPs from across the bloc's constituent parties, marking one of the largest coordinated Opposition actions against the ECI in recent memory.
Who Marched and Why
Legislators from the Indian National Congress (INC), All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), and Samajwadi Party (SP), among other INDIA bloc allies, participated in the protest. SP MP Virendra Singh confirmed that his party's presence was at the direct instruction of SP president Akhilesh Yadav. 'I do not know about the INDI Alliance, but our national president has called upon all MPs to reach Makar Dwar. We are all party workers, we have come here on the instructions of our national president,' Singh said.
Sharp Attacks on the CEC
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee mounted a direct attack on the Chief Election Commissioner during the demonstration, saying, 'That vote thief Gyanesh should resign...' Congress MP Imran Masood echoed the demand, alleging that Gyanesh Kumar had compromised the credibility of the Election Commission as an independent institution. 'The CEC should resign. Gyanesh Kumar has broken the trust that the Election Commission had earned as an independent and impartial institution in the country. When we demand Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, the BJP starts raising questions,' Masood said.
Cracks Within the Bloc
Notably, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) opted to skip the protest, exposing fractures in INDIA bloc coordination. Responding to their absence, Masood drew a sharp line, saying, 'Those who are walking hand in hand with Rahul Gandhi will be the ones seen in this fight. The rest will either be swept away in the storm or will remain on the other side and be swept away.'
What the Protest Centres On
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat clarified that the bloc's core demands were opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar from the top poll post. Critics argue that the SIR exercise raises concerns about the integrity of voter rolls. This comes amid a broader Opposition narrative that the Election Commission has drifted from its constitutionally mandated impartiality under the current leadership.
What Happens Next
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had not issued a formal response at the time of the march, though Masood indicated the ruling party had already begun countering the resignation demand. The protest is expected to intensify political pressure on the ECI ahead of upcoming state elections. Whether dissenting bloc members — particularly DMK and AAP — will eventually align with the mainstream opposition position remains to be seen.
Point of View
DMK, and BJD staying away is not a minor footnote — it signals that the INDIA bloc's much-touted unity remains contingent and transactional. Congress MP Masood's pointed warning to absentees reveals a bloc under strain, not one speaking with a single voice. On the substance, the demand for a sitting CEC's resignation over an administrative exercise — however contested — sets a high-stakes precedent, and the BJP will use bloc incoherence to deflect rather than defend. The real question is whether the SIR exercise's alleged flaws will be substantiated with evidence, or whether this stays at the level of political theatre ahead of election season.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are INDIA bloc MPs demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
INDIA bloc MPs allege that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has undermined the Election Commission's independence and impartiality, particularly through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which they claim involves irregularities in voter roll management. Congress MP Imran Masood stated that Kumar had 'broken the trust' the ECI had earned as an independent institution.
Which parties participated in the INDIA bloc protest against the ECI?
The Indian National Congress , All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) , and Samajwadi Party (SP) were among the key participants. Notably, AAP , DMK , and BJD did not join the march.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an electoral roll update exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India . Opposition parties allege it has been carried out in a manner that raises concerns about voter list integrity, though the ECI has not publicly responded to the specific charges raised at Tuesday's protest.
Did all INDIA bloc parties join the protest?
No. While Congress, TMC, and SP marched to the ECI, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) , Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) , and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) skipped the demonstration, exposing divisions within the bloc over the extent of coordination on the issue.
What is the BJP's response to the demand for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation?
The BJP had not issued a formal public response at the time of the protest. However, Congress MP Imran Masood indicated that the ruling party had already begun raising questions each time the CEC's resignation was demanded, framing it as a political attack on an independent constitutional body.
