No right to anarchy: Smriti Irani bemoans violence during protests, backs dissent

A reported internal rift within the Election Commission of India has triggered a political clash between the opposition and the government. Led by Rahul Gandhi, the Congress party and the INDIA bloc have launched nationwide protests demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition is preparing to move an impeachment motion against the CEC in both houses of Parliament, citing reported internal dissent by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over orders concerning the SIR exercise. Protest plans include marches to state election offices, gherao of the CEC's office in Delhi, and effigy burning by the RJD in Bihar. In response, the BJP dismissed the allegations, claiming the opposition is unsettled by anti-incumbency and the electoral revision process. NDA ally Chirag Paswan noted that the poll panel should address public concerns to preserve trust, while the Election Commission confirmed that its operational digital network remains secure with restricted access for authorised field officials.

The Congress party has launched nationwide protests across multiple cities, including Jammu, Dehradun, Kolkata, Lucknow, Chandigarh, and Delhi, seeking the resignation, removal, and prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Party workers hit the streets, burnt effigies, and planned protest marches towards local Election Commission offices amid heavy security deployments and water cannons. The demonstrations follow reports of alleged internal rifts among election commissioners concerning the Special Summary Revision exercise across several states. Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi, have reiterated allegations of election rigging against the Bharatiya Janata Party, claiming the Election Commission is operating at the behest of political masters. In Jammu, National General Secretary Nasir Hussain joined demonstrators demanding immediate action and accountability from the poll body. Meanwhile, political reactions also emerged, with Union Minister Chirag Paswan stating that the Election Commission should leave no stone unturned to clarify voter doubts, even as the ruling party dismissed the opposition's claims as repeated electoral frustration.

Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party over alleged voter list deletions, asserting that 13 crore voters have been deleted and terming any political interference in elections an illegal act and treason. She demanded accountability regarding claims of directing the Election Commission of India. Meanwhile, the Election Commission previously released a joint statement endorsed by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi, clarifying that all panel decisions are made with the consent of all three commissioners. Opposition parties and allies have demanded further clarification, discussing strategies regarding an impeachment petition against the Chief Election Commissioner.

A Chandigarh Police head constable, Nitin, posted in the accounts branch at police headquarters, was shot dead at his residence in Sector 22 on Friday morning. Neighbours raised the alarm following the sound of gunfire. Police found him lying on his bed with a gunshot wound to the head, and he was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. A country-made pistol was recovered from the spot. Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Kawaldeep Kaur visited the scene, confirming that forensic teams are gathering evidence and that Nitin's wife and son were present in the house at the time. Authorities stated that an investigation across all angles is actively underway.