Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday urged traders in Delhi to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, saying protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls would stop “in 30 seconds” if the government acted on the demand.
In a post on X, Gandhi accused the government of disrupting business in the national capital by shutting metro services, sealing roads and imposing restrictions during protests against the SIR exercise.
“To every trader in Delhi: We love you and hear you,” Gandhi wrote, warning that what he described as “a stolen vote” could threaten businesses, savings and the future of children.
“Tell Modi to sack accused no. 4, Gyanesh Kumar and the protests will stop in 30 seconds,” he added.
CONGRESS RESPONDS TO TRADERS’ CONCERNS OVER NOVEMBER 1 RALLY
Gandhi’s appeal comes after the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) requested the INDIA bloc to postpone its November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan until after November 10.
The traders’ body said traffic diversions and transport restrictions could affect business during the festive shopping season. It also cited losses caused by previous rallies, marches and road closures in Connaught Place and other parts of central Delhi.
The INDIA bloc has planned the rally as part of its campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and its demand for Kumar’s removal.
The Congress has accused the Election Commission of failing to address concerns over the SIR process and has demanded changes to the legal framework governing the appointment and protection of election commissioners.
Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao https://t.co/fr8A8jQvgS— Congress (@INCIndia) October 26, 2026
KHARGE RENEWS DEMAND FOR CEC’S RESIGNATION
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday also accused the Modi government of using every possible means to protect Kumar despite what he described as “countless revelations of vote theft”.
Kharge claimed that the Election Commission had refused to disclose information about the software used in the SIR process under the Right to Information (RTI) framework, citing “Trade Secrets”.
He urged people to join the INDIA bloc’s November 1 Dilli Chalo march and rally at Ramlila Maidan, describing it as a movement to protect democracy and the Constitution.
Kharge also raised concerns over electoral records in Uttar Pradesh, claiming that details of 16.18 lakh Form 6 applications had not been made public. Form 6 is used to apply for inclusion in electoral rolls.
He further cited discrepancies involving 10,470 voters in Pilibhit and said the issue had prompted authorities to order an investigation into Forms 6, 7 and 8 across Uttar Pradesh.
UP CEO ORDERS SCRUTINY OF VOTER FORMS
Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa has directed officials to scrutinise all Forms 6, 7 and 8 entered by computer assistants since April 10, when the state’s SIR exercise concluded.
The directive followed allegations made by the Uttar Pradesh Congress on October 21 of large-scale manipulation in the Pilibhit Sadar Assembly constituency.
The party claimed that thousands of voters’ names had been changed even though their Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers and serial numbers remained unchanged.
The scrutiny covers Form 6 applications for inclusion in electoral rolls, Form 7 applications relating to deletion of names and objections, and Form 8 applications for corrections and other changes.
The allegations and the scope of the review have not, by themselves, established that electoral fraud took place.
CONGRESS SEEKS HALT TO SIR, PAPER BALLOTS
Kharge reiterated the INDIA bloc’s demands, including Kumar’s resignation, repeal of the 2023 law providing protection to election commissioners, an immediate halt to the SIR exercise and restoration of voters’ names that were illegally removed, as claimed by the opposition.
He also called for elections to be conducted using paper ballots.
“This is not just a fight to save votes; it is a people’s struggle to save the Constitution and democracy,” Kharge said.
On Sunday, the Congress accused the Election Commission of withholding information about its ECINET software. The party alleged that repeated refusals to disclose details were intended to conceal what it described as “massive, centralised manipulation” during the SIR exercise.
The Election Commission’s response to the latest allegations was not included in the statements provided by the Congress leaders.
– Ends
