Congress-led all-party meeting demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y.S. Sharmila on Friday led an all-party meeting at Andhra Ratna Bhavan, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and alleging that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was functioning under the influence of the BJP-led Union government.

Addressing the meeting, Ms. Sharmila alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had undermined democracy by turning the ECI into a puppet. She claimed that votes were being deleted on a large scale across the country and accused the commission of making illegal changes to Forms 6 and 7.

Former Minister Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao accused the Centre of attempting to retain power in 2029 by influencing the electoral machinery. He alleged that Mr. Gyanesh Kumar had been appointed to facilitate the formation of governments through questionable means and sought an inquiry into decisions taken during his tenure. He also urged the Congress to rebuild its organisation in Andhra Pradesh, describing it as an alternative to the existing political forces.

CPI(M) leader V. Srinivasa Rao described the agitation as a people’s movement cutting across party lines and alleged that the ECI was acting in the BJP’s interests. While acknowledging the need for periodic revision of electoral rolls, he said the deletion of eligible voters’ names was unacceptable. He alleged that minorities, Dalits, poor people and youth were particularly affected and pledged the CPI(M)’s support to the INDIA bloc’s campaign.

CPI leader Akkineni Vanaja accused the BJP and the RSS of working together to bring the ECI under their control. She criticised the changes to the process of appointing the CEC and called upon students and young people to join the movement to protect electoral democracy.

Former IPS officer A.B. Venkateswara Rao alleged that the appointment of Mr. Gyanesh Kumar violated constitutional principles and questioned the validity of the 2023 law governing the appointment of Election Commissioners. He demanded the repeal of the law and called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines with ballot papers.

The leaders reiterated their demand for Mr. Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and called for a nationwide campaign to protect voting rights and ensure transparency in elections.