Maha Congress demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, calls out MPSC chief
Synopsis
On Gandhi Jayanti, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal escalated his party's attack on the BJP by demanding the resignations of both CEC Gyanesh Kumar — whom he called 'an agent of the BJP' — and MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar. The dual demand, made from the symbolically charged Mani Bhavan, signals Congress intensifying institutional accountability pressure in Maharashtra.
Key Takeaways
MPCC President Harshwardhan Sapkal demanded the immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar on 2 October , accusing him of acting as 'an agent of the BJP.' Sapkal also called for the resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar , siding with students protesting against the commission.
The Election Commission's proposed changes to Form 6 were withdrawn following objections raised by Rahul Gandhi , according to Sapkal.
The MPCC delegation visited Mani Bhavan , Mumbai, on Gandhi Jayanti before holding the press interaction.
Sapkal cited petrol at ₹70/litre and LPG at ₹450 under Manmohan Singh , contrasting it with current inflation levels under the BJP.
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Harshwardhan Sapkal on Friday, 2 October, launched a sharp broadside against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government, demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar. Sapkal accused the Centre of systematically dismantling democratic institutions by 'capturing the electoral machinery.'
Charge Against the Election Commission
Speaking to reporters after visiting the historic Mani Bhavan in Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti, Sapkal — accompanied by State Congress In-charge Sirivella Prasad — alleged that CEC Gyanesh Kumar was functioning as 'an agent of the BJP.' He pointed to the Election Commission's recent attempt to revise Form 6 as evidence of partisan overreach, noting that the changes were rolled back only after objections raised by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
'It must be made transparent to the public as to who authorised handing over electoral decision-making powers to a private entity,' Sapkal demanded. Critics argue such moves erode the institutional independence of the poll body, though the Election Commission has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Support for Student Protests Against MPSC
Sapkal extended the Congress party's full backing to students agitating against the Maharashtra Public Service Commission, describing the commission's operational standards as 'extremely poor.' He demanded the immediate resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, framing the Congress' stance as a firm commitment to stand with the state's youth. Student groups have been protesting over alleged irregularities in MPSC recruitment and examination processes.
Gandhi Jayanti and Constitutional Values
The remarks were delivered on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, after the MPCC delegation paid tribute at Mani Bhavan — the Mumbai residence where Gandhi spent significant periods during the independence movement. Sapkal drew a direct line from the Gandhian legacy to the Maharashtra tradition, invoking Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, and B.R. Ambedkar.
He went further, calling for the disbanding of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the installation of the Constitution of India in all RSS offices — remarks likely to sharpen the already combative political climate in Maharashtra.
Economy and Inflation: Congress vs BJP Record
Turning to economic grievances, Sapkal contrasted the current government's inflation record with that of the former United Progressive Alliance (UPA) administration. He claimed that under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, petrol was maintained at ₹70 per litre and LPG cylinders at ₹450 even during periods of elevated global fuel prices.
'Today, the Modi government works exclusively to enrich a handful of industrialists while leaving ordinary citizens to bear the brunt of unbridled inflation,' Sapkal said. The BJP has not yet responded to these specific claims. This comes amid broader opposition-led campaigns ahead of state-level political consolidation in Maharashtra.
Point of View
Congress is attempting to stitch together an urban youth constituency (aggrieved by MPSC delays) with a broader institutional-integrity narrative. The Form 6 controversy is the strongest factual peg here: the Election Commission did roll back the proposed changes, which gives the opposition a concrete win to amplify. However, calling for the disbanding of the RSS and equating its centenary with a retreat before Gandhi are maximalist claims unlikely to survive serious scrutiny. The inflation comparison — petrol at ₹70 under the UPA — is politically potent but selectively timed, and the BJP will likely respond with counter-data on subsidies and fiscal balances.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Maharashtra Congress demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
MPCC President Harshwardhan Sapkal has accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of functioning as 'an agent of the BJP' and enabling the Union government to capture India's electoral machinery. He cited the Election Commission's proposed changes to Form 6 — later withdrawn after objections from Rahul Gandhi — as evidence of partisan conduct.
Why is Congress demanding the MPSC Chairman's resignation?
Sapkal described the MPSC's operational standards as 'extremely poor' and extended Congress' full support to students protesting against the Maharashtra Public Service Commission. He called on MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar to step down immediately in response to the student agitation.
What is the Form 6 controversy Sapkal referred to?
According to Sapkal, the Election Commission of India had proposed arbitrary changes to Form 6 — a form used for voter registration — which were subsequently withdrawn following valid objections raised by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Sapkal demanded clarity on who authorised transferring electoral decision-making powers to a private entity.
Why did the MPCC visit Mani Bhavan on 2 October?
The MPCC delegation visited Mani Bhavan in Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, to pay tribute. Mani Bhavan is historically significant as the residence where Gandhi spent considerable time during India's freedom struggle.
What economic comparison did Sapkal draw between the UPA and the current government?
Sapkal claimed that under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, petrol prices were held at ₹70 per litre and LPG cylinders at ₹450 even when global fuel prices were high. He contrasted this with what he described as the current Modi government's approach of benefiting industrialists while ordinary citizens face rising inflation.
