Congress launches nationwide 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Congress announced a nationwide “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” campaign demanding removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar after the Supreme Court said no modified Form 6 was approved.
The Supreme Court on Monday stated it had not approved any altered version of Form 6, the document used for new voter enrollment, prompting Congress to intensify its opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. General Secretary KC Venugopal announced the “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” campaign, which will run from October 10 through November 26 and include block-level bike, cycle and foot marches, village chaupals to identify allegedly deleted voters, and a major rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
The party’s leadership, including President Mallikarjun Kharge and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, instructed state and district officials to pursue an aggressive, nationwide protest until Kumar is removed and the electoral system is reformed. Venugopal warned the agitation will not end quickly, labeling the Election Commission as the “Cheating Commission of India.” The first phase features thousands of workers per block, with plans to burn effigies of Kumar and stage six “Chalo Delhi” yatras at the end of November. A march from Parliament to the Election Commission is also slated for the following Tuesday.
Why it matters
It signals a large-scale political challenge to India’s election authority, potentially affecting public confidence in upcoming polls.
How this story developed
- Sep 23 Election Commission denies internal dissent, says all decisions were unanimous
- Sep 23 Congress senior filed a petition urging the Supreme Court to intervene and summon the Election Commission members.
- Sep 25 A Supreme Court petition seeking criminal prosecution of the chief election commissioner was filed.
- Sep 26 The Election Commission announced that Booth Level Officers will visit voters flagged in the SIR to collect supporting documents, with online hearings and additional help desks to be established.
- Sep 27 Opposition parties announced nationwide rallies and a parliamentary motion to force the CEC’s resignation following the removal of over 130 million voter names.
- Oct 2 The Cockroach Janata Party and a coalition of student activists will protest in Mumbai and New Delhi, calling for Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to step down over disputed voter-list changes.
- Oct 2 The Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition questioning the Election Commission’s decision‑making next week.
- Oct 4 The Supreme Court will hear petitions on Oct 5 seeking the suspension of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid a dispute over the special intensive revision exercise.
- Oct 5 Delhi police deployed roughly 5,000 officers and paramilitary units ahead of two anti‑CEC marches.
- Oct 5 The court issued a notice to the Election Commission and the Centre after refusing to suspend the chief election commissioner.
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