Rahul Gandhi challenges Modi to sack CEC Gyanesh Kumar, says Delhi protests will end in 30 seconds

New Delhi, Oct 26 : Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, asserting that the ongoing protests in the national capital over alleged electoral malpractice would end within 30 seconds if the government accepted the Opposition's demand.

In a message posted on social media, Gandhi directly addressed Delhi's trading community, expressing concern over the disruption to business activities and daily life caused by restrictions imposed amid the ongoing agitation.

"To every trader in Delhi: We love you and hear you," Gandhi said, highlighting the difficulties faced by traders and residents due to the protest-related restrictions.

"The government shut the metro, sealed our roads and locked down our capital," he said, blaming the authorities for the inconvenience caused to people in the national capital.

Linking the Opposition's allegations of electoral irregularities to the economic security of ordinary citizens, Gandhi said, "With a stolen vote nothing is safe - your shop, your savings, your children's future."

Issuing a direct challenge to the Prime Minister, he said, "Tell Modi to sack accused number four, Gyanesh Kumar, and the protests will stop in 30 seconds."

Gandhi's reference to Kumar as "accused number four" was part of his criticism of the Chief Election Commissioner over the Opposition's allegations concerning electoral irregularities. The message, also shared in Hindi, reiterated his appeal to traders and sought to highlight the economic impact of restrictions on commercial activities and public movement.

The remarks come amid an escalating confrontation between the Congress-led Opposition and the Election Commission over electoral transparency, the credibility of the voting process and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Opposition parties have alleged that certain aspects of the electoral roll revision exercise and other electoral practices could lead to the exclusion of legitimate voters. They have demanded greater accountability from the Election Commission and action against the Chief Election Commissioner.

The Election Commission, however, has defended the revision of electoral rolls, maintaining that the exercise is part of its statutory responsibilities.

By directly addressing the trading community, Gandhi sought to widen the Opposition's campaign beyond political parties and electoral institutions, drawing attention to the impact of the restrictions on livelihoods and commercial activities in Delhi.

He maintained that the government could bring the agitation to an immediate end by removing Kumar, while framing the broader dispute as an issue involving electoral integrity, public confidence in constitutional institutions and the everyday economic concerns of citizens.