Priyanka Gandhi: BJP shielding CEC Gyanesh Kumar, INDIA Bloc united on ECI row
Synopsis
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has accused the BJP of actively protecting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, calling the alleged acts 'treason' and demanding his resignation and prosecution. With the INDIA Bloc set to meet on 30 September, the opposition is consolidating its challenge to the Election Commission's independence — and putting the BJP's institutional credibility squarely in the crosshairs.
Key Takeaways
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the BJP of 'shielding' CEC Gyanesh Kumar during remarks in Malappuram, Kerala on 26 September .
She called Kumar's alleged actions 'treason' and demanded he be 'tried' and resign — echoing Rahul Gandhi's earlier demand.
Vadra called for removal of legal safeguards granted to the Election Commissioner by the BJP-led government.
The INDIA Bloc parties are reportedly set to meet on 30 September to coordinate their response to the ECI row.
The controversy follows media reports alleging decisions at the poll panel were taken without the knowledge of the two Election Commissioners.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday, 26 September accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership of actively 'shielding' Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that no one could commit crimes against democracy 'without the full support of the leadership.' Speaking to reporters in Malappuram, Kerala, Vadra also asserted that all parties within the INDIA Bloc are united in their stance on the ongoing row over the Election Commission of India (ECI).
What Priyanka Gandhi Said
Addressing reporters, Vadra stated: 'The INDIA alliance is very clear. Every single leader of the alliance, every single party is in full agreement that what is going on is absolutely illegal, anti-constitutional, and against our nation and democracy. Those who are doing it have to be taken to task. They have to be held responsible.'
She further called for the removal of legal safeguards extended to the Election Commissioner, saying: 'I strongly believe that the legal safeguards provided to the Election Commissioner, which this BJP-led government instituted, need to be removed. If anybody is committing illegal acts against our nation, against this Constitution, they need to be tried.'
Treason Allegation Against CEC
In a sharp escalation of the opposition's rhetoric, Vadra accused CEC Gyanesh Kumar of committing 'treason' and demanded he face legal accountability. 'He needs to be tried for treason,' she claimed, echoing the demand for Kumar's resignation already made by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Vadra alleged that it was 'practically impossible' for the CEC to act independently without backing from the ruling dispensation.
Background: The ECI Dissent Row
Vadra's remarks come days after a media report alleged serious differences within the Election Commission, with certain decisions reportedly being taken without the knowledge of the two other Election Commissioners. The claims have triggered a political storm, with the opposition citing them as evidence of institutional compromise. The BJP has not publicly responded to Vadra's specific allegations as of the time of this report.
INDIA Bloc Meeting on September 30
The INDIA Bloc parties are reportedly set to convene a meeting on 30 September to deliberate on the ECI dissent row along with other pressing issues. The gathering is expected to consolidate the opposition's position ahead of any formal action.
BJP 'Overconfidence' Remark
Vadra also renewed her previous charge against the BJP, describing the party as 'overconfident' and questioning the gap between its pre-election seat projections and actual ground sentiment. 'People have seen their overconfident statements before every election, predicting the exact number of seats they're going to get. Where are they getting that overconfidence from? The people of India are not that happy with them... What you hear on the ground from people is something, and what you're seeing as the election result is something else,' she claimed.
With an INDIA Bloc meeting now scheduled for 30 September, the opposition's coordinated push over the ECI controversy is set to intensify in the days ahead.
Point of View
They raise the political stakes for the BJP ahead of the 30 September bloc meeting. What mainstream coverage misses is the legal irony: it was the BJP-led government that instituted stronger statutory protections for the CEC, a safeguard Vadra now wants dismantled. The deeper question is whether the INDIA Bloc can sustain this pressure into a coherent institutional reform demand, or whether it dissipates as electoral rhetoric once the news cycle moves on.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Priyanka Gandhi alleged against CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of committing 'treason' against India's democracy, alleging he could not be acting without the 'full support' of the BJP leadership. She has demanded his resignation and called for him to be tried legally.
Why is the INDIA Bloc united on the ECI row?
The INDIA Bloc parties say they are in 'full agreement' that actions allegedly taken at the Election Commission are 'illegal, anti-constitutional, and against the nation and democracy.' Their unity is rooted in a shared concern about institutional independence ahead of elections.
What triggered the current controversy over the Election Commission of India?
The row was triggered by a media report alleging that decisions at the poll panel were being taken without the knowledge of the two Election Commissioners, pointing to potential dysfunction or overreach at the constitutional body.
When is the INDIA Bloc meeting on the ECI issue?
The INDIA Bloc parties are reportedly set to meet on 30 September to discuss the ECI dissent row and other issues, with the gathering expected to formalise the opposition's coordinated position.
What is the legal safeguard Priyanka Gandhi wants removed?
Vadra is referring to statutory protections for the Chief Election Commissioner that were put in place by the BJP-led government. She has argued that if the officeholder is allegedly committing illegal acts, those protections should not shield them from prosecution.
