Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Himachal Pradesh Congress Protests, Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Removal
Congress workers held a protest outside the Election Commission office in Shimla.
They wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar removed from his post.
They also demanded that he be arrested.
The demands were linked to allegations that votes were stolen during elections.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri made these allegations during the protest.
Protesters burned an effigy of Kumar and damaged the Commission’s sign.
They also shouted slogans against Kumar and a review of electoral rolls.
Police and protesters scuffled while the effigy was being burned.
Himachal Pradesh Congress workers protested outside the Election Commission office in Shimla on September 25.
The protesters demanded the removal and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of “vote theft.”
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri accused the Election Commission and Kumar of helping the BJP win elections.
Protesters burned Kumar’s effigy, blackened the Commission’s board, and wrote “Chor Aayog” on it.
A scuffle broke out between Congress workers and police while the effigy was being burned.
- Who
- Himachal Pradesh Congress workers, including Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, protested against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- They demanded Kumar’s removal and arrest over allegations of “vote theft” and opposed the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- When
- September 25; the report identifies the day as Friday but does not specify a year.
- Where
- Outside the Election Commission office in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
- Why
- Congress leaders alleged that the Election Commission and Kumar had helped deny people voting rights and enabled the BJP to win elections.
Congress allegations
BJP defense of Election Commission
Election results and vote theft allegations
Congress allegations
Congress leaders, including Mukesh Agnihotri, alleged that the Election Commission and Gyanesh Kumar helped deny voting rights and enabled the BJP to win elections.
BJP defense of Election Commission
The report says BJP leaders have defended the Election Commission, but it does not provide their detailed response to the allegations.
- Protesting group
- Himachal Pradesh Congress
- Target of demands
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Location
- Election Commission office, Shimla
- Main demands
- Immediate removal and arrest of Gyanesh Kumar
- Main allegation
- “Vote theft” and denial of voting rights
- Other issue
- Opposition to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Incident
- A scuffle occurred between Congress workers and police during the effigy burning