CONGRESS ESCALATES ATTACK ON CEC, ALLEGES GYANESH KUMAR FOLLOWED ‘ILLEGAL ORDERS’

October 5, 2026

NEW DELHI — The Congress has intensified its demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, accusing him of carrying out allegedly unlawful directions and invoking observations attributed to Supreme Court Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer.

The opposition party has cited remarks made during judicial proceedings to strengthen its criticism of the Election Commission and question the conduct of its leadership. Congress leaders have argued that the poll panel must operate independently and strictly within the constitutional framework.

The party has alleged that Kumar acted on directions it described as improper, contending that such conduct undermines confidence in the electoral watchdog. Congress leaders have therefore renewed their call for his removal from the post.

The controversy comes amid an intensifying political dispute over the functioning of the Election Commission, with opposition parties repeatedly questioning decisions concerning electoral rolls, election procedures and institutional accountability.

The Congress has maintained that the credibility of the electoral process depends on public confidence in the neutrality of the commission and its senior officials. The party says the allegations surrounding Kumar require a serious institutional response.

The demand for his resignation is likely to further sharpen the political confrontation over the Election Commission, as questions surrounding its independence and the constitutional limits on its functioning remain at the centre of the debate.