Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Kharge Calls Election Chief a BJP ‘Puppet’ Over Vote Deletions
Mallikarjun Kharge is the leader of the Congress party in India.
He criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at a party meeting.
Kharge said the election official was acting in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Modi government.
He also alleged that some people's names were being removed from voter lists unfairly.
Kharge said every eligible adult should be able to vote.
He referred to comments by B. R. Ambedkar about voting being central to democracy.
Congress wants information about voter-list changes to be made public.
It also wants people whose names are removed to be told and allowed to appeal.
Opposition parties plan to discuss how to continue their protest.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of acting as a “puppet” of the BJP.
Speaking at the Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi, Kharge alleged that voter names were being removed through “calculated conspiracies.”
Kharge said the Congress wants the Election Commission to be independent, credible and trusted by both the ruling party and the opposition.
The Congress demanded public disclosure of voter-list changes, notice and appeal opportunities for deleted voters, and timely access to election data.
The opposition parties are expected to discuss a joint strategy on Wednesday, ahead of elections in five states in 2027.
- Who
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Modi government.
- What
- Kharge alleged that voter names were being removed through conspiracies and demanded greater transparency from the Election Commission.
- When
- The remarks were made on Tuesday; opposition parties were scheduled to meet on Wednesday.
- Where
- At a Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi.
- Why
- Kharge said the Congress wants to protect voting rights, ensure fair elections and preserve public trust in the election process.
Congress and Opposition Concerns
Election Institutions and Ruling Party
Voter-list deletions
Congress and Opposition Concerns
Kharge alleges that officers are arbitrarily deleting voter names at the direction of the BJP and the Modi government.
Election Institutions and Ruling Party
The article does not provide a response from the BJP, the Modi government or the Election Commission to these allegations.
Election Commission independence
Congress and Opposition Concerns
Kharge says Gyanesh Kumar has become a “puppet” and questions decisions related to the SIR process and access to the commission’s internal portal.
Election Institutions and Ruling Party
The article reports no direct explanation from Gyanesh Kumar or the other election commissioners about the issues raised.
Purpose of Congress criticism
Congress and Opposition Concerns
Kharge says the criticism is meant to secure an Election Commission trusted equally by the ruling party and the opposition.
Election Institutions and Ruling Party
No opposing account is provided in the article regarding Congress’s characterization of its campaign.
- Speaker
- Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the Congress party
- Official criticized
- Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner
- Main allegation
- Voter names are being removed through what Kharge called “calculated conspiracies” at the behest of the BJP and Modi government.
- Congress position
- The party says its questions are intended to strengthen the Election Commission’s independence and credibility.
- Requested transparency
- Congress wants complete data on major voter-list changes and transparency in election-related decisions and data.
- Voter protections sought
- Deleted voters should receive full information and an opportunity to appeal.
- Future elections
- Kharge said voter rights must be protected ahead of elections in five states in 2027.