Left, Cong demand Gyanesh’s resignation

Vijayawada: Leaders of opposition parties on Wednesday announced that they would organise a ‘Chalo Raj Bhavan’ programme on October 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.

Addressing a press conference at Balotsav Bhavan in Vijayawada, CPM state secretary V Srinivasa Rao alleged that the Election Commission had facilitated the deletion of 13 crore votes and accused the CEC of acting in favour of the BJP. He described the issue as a “dark chapter” in the country’s history and said the agitation was aimed at protecting the voting rights of citizens.

He said political parties, civil society organisations and people’s groups would participate in the protest and appealed to all non-BJP parties to join the programme. He said the YSRCP had already agreed to participate and that the Telugu Desam Party would also be invited. Srinivasa Rao alleged that the controversy surrounding changes to Form 6 had exposed serious concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission.

Referring to recent statements attributed to the Supreme Court and a former Kerala Chief Secretary, he alleged that questions had been raised over the CEC’s conduct and his alleged proximity to the BJP.

He further alleged that despite protests by Opposition MPs and youth groups across the country, neither the Election Commission nor the Union government had responded adequately. He accused the police of using excessive force against protesters and journalists and alleged that those detained during the protests were not properly accounted for.

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) vice president Kolanukonda Shivaji said protests against the CEC were being held across the country and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah respond to the allegations.

CPI state secretariat member Donepudi Shankar alleged that the voting rights of people had been undermined and said the reported deletion of votes would seriously affect democracy.

He alleged that Gyanesh Kumar was acting as a “chief agent” of the BJP and appealed to people to join the movement to protect democratic institutions.

New Democracy leaders Chittipati Venkateswarlu and M Ramakrishna, and MCPI (U) leader Khader Basha also spoke. CPM State secretariat member Y Venkateswara Rao was present at the press conference.

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