Archive · 28 Sep 2026
UP Congress Chief Demands Cancellation of 2024 Varanasi Poll
Ajay Rai, a Congress leader in Uttar Pradesh, has made serious accusations about an election.
He says Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar helped unfairly influence the 2024 election in Varanasi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi won that election.
Rai lost to Modi by 1,52,513 votes.
Rai wants Kumar arrested.
He also wants the Varanasi election cancelled and held again.
He said other elections held during Kumar’s tenure should also be repeated.
The article reports Rai’s claims, but does not provide evidence or a response from Kumar or the BJP.
Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai demanded the arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision controversy.
Rai alleged that Kumar helped rig the 2024 Lok Sabha election in Varanasi to secure Narendra Modi’s victory.
He called for the Varanasi election to be cancelled and reconducted, along with polls held in states during Kumar’s tenure.
Rai contested Modi in Varanasi and lost by 1,52,513 votes.
Kumar became an election commissioner on March 15, 2024, and took charge as Chief Election Commissioner on February 19, 2025.
- Who
- Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai made the demands concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- Rai demanded Kumar’s arrest and cancellation and reconduction of the 2024 Varanasi Lok Sabha election, as well as other elections held during Kumar’s tenure.
- When
- Rai’s remarks concerned the 2024 Lok Sabha election; Kumar became an election commissioner on March 15, 2024, and Chief Election Commissioner on February 19, 2025.
- Where
- Rai spoke to reporters in Agra, while the disputed election was held in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Rai alleged that Kumar helped rig the election and secure the Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory, in connection with the Special Intensive Revision controversy.
- Speaker
- Ajay Rai, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief
- Disputed election
- 2024 Lok Sabha election in Varanasi
- Winner
- Narendra Modi
- Rai’s margin of defeat
- 1,52,513 votes
- Main demand
- Arrest Gyanesh Kumar and reconduct the Varanasi election
- Election commissioner appointment
- Gyanesh Kumar was appointed on March 15, 2024
- Chief Election Commissioner
- He took charge as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner on February 19, 2025