Election Commission Rift Sparks Political Storm as Opposition Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Exit

In an interview with India Today, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P. Chidambaram demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following investigative reports alleging internal dissent within the Election Commission of India. Emphasising accountability in constitutional bodies, Chidambaram asserted, "He should step down, and then an inquiry can be ordered." He argued that the Commission is a multi-member body where the majority view must prevail, warning that overriding fellow commissioners is unconstitutional and ultra vires. Chidambaram highlighted widespread discrepancies and large-scale deletions under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, asserting, "the SIR process must be immediately suspended, and after an inquiry, it must be reversed." Calling for complete transparency, he urged the government to release internal files and deliberations to the public and proposed that a parliamentary committee review recent decisions of the poll body. He maintained that fair and free general elections require an impartial Election Commission.

IIT Bombay has postponed its mid-semester examinations amid escalating protests surrounding the death of student Sahil Wakode. The student's parents staged a hunger strike, reiterating demands for the arrest of Professor Doolla and calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the matter if necessary.

Speaking on the growing controversy over the Election Commission, Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das addressed the 48-hour ultimatum issued for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Das warned of a Jantar Mantar-style agitation, alleging the mass disenfranchisement of 13 crore voters through the Special Intensive Revision. He asserted, 'The only question of credibility here is of the Election Commission of India,' adding that youth and Gen Z voters are being systematically excluded.

A reported rift within the Election Commission of India has escalated into a political confrontation and institutional crisis. Disclosures revealed that two election commissioners registered objections 14 times over 10 months regarding Special Intensive Revision decisions, which the poll panel maintained were unanimous. In Goa, 97 verified voters were excluded from the final electoral rolls because the centralised software lacked a rollback feature to reverse earlier deletions, despite eight requests from the state Chief Electoral Officer's office. Confronted by India Today, Goa CEO Sanjay Goel declined to provide answers. Amid mounting scrutiny over the poll body's internal functioning, the opposition INDIA bloc is preparing to move an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, prompting counterattacks from the BJP.