Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Andhra Leaders Demand Removal of Chief Election Commissioner
Political and union groups held a hunger strike in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
They said people need to trust that elections are fair.
Andhra Intellectual Forum leader Chalasani Srinivas demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar be removed.
Srinivas accused the Election Commission of India of not acting independently.
He also alleged that Kumar was favoring the BJP-led Central government.
These were claims made by Srinivas at the protest.
The article does not include a response from Kumar or the Election Commission.
People at the event called for more accountability and confidence in elections.
Chalasani Srinivas called for the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Srinivas alleged that the Election Commission of India was not independent and that Kumar favored the BJP-led Central government.
The demand was made at a hunger strike in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
The protest was organised by the Andhra Intellectual Forum, CPI, CPM, Congress parties and INTUC.
Participants called for accountability and measures to strengthen public confidence in the electoral system.
- Who
- Chalasani Srinivas and political and trade union representatives participating in the hunger strike.
- What
- Srinivas demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging the Election Commission was not independent.
- When
- Saturday; no date is specified.
- Where
- Near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- Protesters called for accountability and greater public confidence in the electoral system.
- Main demand
- Immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Protest format
- Hunger strike.
- Location
- Near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Visakhapatnam.
- Organisers
- Andhra Intellectual Forum, CPI, CPM, Congress parties and INTUC.
- Central allegation
- Chalasani Srinivas alleged that the Election Commission was not functioning independently and that Kumar was acting in favour of the BJP-led Central government.
- Other participants
- Political leaders and representatives of AITUC, CITU and other trade unions.