Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Kharge Demands CEC Removal, Modi Resignation Over SIR Dispute
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge says India’s election system is not being handled fairly.
He accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of helping the ruling BJP.
Kharge also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi pressured the election official and should resign.
He wants Kumar removed from office.
Congress wants information about changes to voter lists to be made public.
It also wants people whose names were removed to be told and allowed to appeal.
Kharge said independent investigations should examine serious problems.
The Election Commission said questions raised during the process were normal administrative discussions, not proof of a disagreement over final decisions.
Congress said it would continue the issue in Parliament and on the streets.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Kharge also called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation on moral grounds, alleging that Modi pressured the poll panel chief.
Congress demanded public data on electoral-roll changes, appeal rights for deleted voters, timely access to rolls, independent investigations, and greater transparency.
Kharge cited reports that Election Commissioners Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu described some CEC decisions as arbitrary, improper, or unreasonable.
The Election Commission said operational questions and suggestions raised during the draft stage were part of normal administrative and decision-making processes, while Congress vowed to raise the matter in Parliament and through protests.
- Who
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress, and the Election Commission of India.
- What
- Kharge demanded Kumar’s removal and Modi’s resignation while seeking investigations and greater transparency over alleged electoral-roll and poll-process irregularities.
- When
- Tuesday; one report dates the meeting to September 29.
- Where
- At a Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi.
- Why
- Kharge alleged that voter-list changes were being concealed or improperly made, that the CEC favored the ruling BJP, and that he acted under pressure from the prime minister.
Congress’s allegations and demands
Election Commission’s response
CEC’s conduct
Congress’s allegations and demands
Kharge called Gyanesh Kumar a puppet of the Modi government and alleged that the CEC’s actions benefited the ruling BJP, supporting his demand for immediate removal.
Election Commission’s response
The Election Commission rejected the suggestion that reported objections by other commissioners amounted to institutional dissent over final decisions.
Commissioners’ objections
Congress’s allegations and demands
Congress cited reports that Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu described some decisions concerning SIR, voter deletions, Form 6, and electoral-roll access as arbitrary, improper, or unreasonable.
Election Commission’s response
The Election Commission said operational questions, inputs, and suggestions raised during the draft stage were part of its normal administrative and decision-making process.
Electoral transparency
Congress’s allegations and demands
Congress demanded disclosure of voter-list changes, appeal opportunities for deleted voters, timely access to electoral data, independent investigations, and safeguards against withheld information.
Election Commission’s response
The Election Commission’s reported position is that its orders had legal sanction and followed established procedures, and that differing views during deliberations did not establish improper final decisions.
- Congress president
- Mallikarjun Kharge
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Gyanesh Kumar
- Main demands
- Immediate removal of the CEC and Narendra Modi’s resignation on moral grounds
- Electoral-roll demands
- Publish complete data on major changes, notify deleted voters, and provide an opportunity to appeal
- Political-party access
- Provide parties with electoral rolls and related essential data in a simple format and in a timely manner
- Investigation demand
- Conduct independent, time-bound inquiries where serious discrepancies are found
- Reported commissioner objections
- Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu reportedly raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months regarding SIR and other electoral matters
- Election Commission position
- Operational queries, inputs, and suggestions during the draft stage were described as standard administrative and decision-making processes
Sources
Congress President seeks CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal, demands PM Modi’s resignation over SIR row
PM should resign for ‘pressuring’ CEC: Kharge at CWC meet
M Kharge Calls Poll Panel Chief A 'Puppet', Lists 5 Demands At Congress Meet
'No Right To Remain In Office': Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Removal, Seeks PM Modi’s Resignation On Moral Grounds
