JAMMU, Sept 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Congress on Monday staged a protest in Jammu demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumarwhile police foiled the protesters’ march from Shaheedi Chowk towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
The demonstration was organised by the District Congress Committee Jammu Urban under the banner of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee, with protesters carrying placards and raising slogans over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
The protest was led by former Minister and DCC Jammu Urban president Yogesh Sawhney, DCC Jammu Rural president Neeraj Kundan and PCC Working President Raman Bhalla, along with former Minister Mula Ram and other senior Congress leaders and workers.
Addressing the protesters, Bhalla said the Election Commission must uphold its constitutional responsibilities and ensure transparency in the electoral process. He referred to Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of “vote chori” and said concerns regarding the integrity of elections should be addressed through a transparent and credible process. Rahul Gandhi has recently demanded Kumar’s resignation while making allegations concerning the conduct of elections and electoral roll revisions.
Sawhney demanded the immediate resignation and arrest of Kumar, alleging that electoral irregularities had taken place during his tenure. He also demanded that decisions and orders issued during Kumar’s tenure be reviewed and called for accountability from the Union Government.
Sawhney said the credibility and independence of democratic institutions must be protected and urged the Election Commission and the Government to respond to concerns raised by the Opposition and the public.
The Congress’s September 28 district-level protests are part of its wider campaign against Kumar, with the party demanding his removal and an independent review of decisions and electoral roll changes made during his tenure.