CEC row LIVE: INDIA Bloc MPs head to Jantar Mantar to demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation

CEC row LIVE: INDIA Bloc MPs head to Jantar Mantar to demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation Security was tightened across Lutyens’ Delhi, with several parts of central New Delhi resembling a fortress, ahead of the INDIA bloc’s protest. Barricades, metal detectors and a heavy police presence transformed the usual bustle of the capital into a controlled zone. The move came after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that Gyanesh Kumar, the chief election commissioner, would continue in office despite mounting allegations of bias..

The INDIA alliance – a coalition of opposition parties – announced a march to Jantar Mantar, demanding Kumar’s immediate resignation, sparking a standoff between lawmakers and the administration. The protest was organised by senior MPs from the Indian National Developmental Alliance (INDA), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress Party, all of which sit under the umbrella of the INDIA bloc. Their spokesperson, MP Radhika Sharma, told reporters that the march was “a peaceful exercise of democratic right, aimed at restoring faith in the electoral process”..

She added that the coalition had exhausted every institutional avenue, from written complaints to judicial pleas, and that only a public demonstration could highlight what they call a “systemic erosion of the commission’s neutrality”. At the heart of the dispute is the commission’s decision to allow a controversial amendment to the Model Code of Conduct during the recent state elections, which the opposition claims gave an undue advantage to the ruling party. Critics allege that Gyanesh Kumar’s office ignored several petitions that alleged misuse of state resources, and that the commissioner’s refusal to suspend the ruling party’s campaign machinery breached established precedent..

Legal experts note that while the ECI has wide discretionary powers, its decisions are expected to be “transparent and impartial”, standards they argue have not been met. The government’s response has been swift and defensive. Home Minister Amit Verma announced an increase in police deployment, citing “the need to ensure law and order and to protect public property”..

He also warned that any attempt to “disrupt the peace” would be met with “strict action”. Sources within the ministry, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the administration is preparing a “strategic communication plan” to counter the narrative being pushed by the opposition and to reaffirm the commission’s credibility. Opposition leaders, meanwhile, have taken to social media, with hashtags such as #ResignCEC and #ElectionJustice trending on Twitter and Instagram..

AAP leader Arvind Kumar posted a video from his office, urging citizens to “stand up for the sanctity of our democracy”. The video, which has amassed Over two million views, shows Kumar holding a copy of the Constitution, symbolically linking the protest to the nation’s founding principles. The digital campaign has been complemented by street-level outreach, with volunteers distributing pamphlets and organizing “fact‑check” sessions in nearby markets..

On the ground, the atmosphere at Jantar Mantar is a blend of anticipation and tension. Thousands of supporters, equipped with placards bearing slogans like “Vote Without Fear” and “Commission Must Be Free”, have gathered in the historic protest site. Security personnel have set up temporary checkpoints, and a cordon has been erected to separate the protesters from the main thoroughfare..

Organisers have urged participants to remain non‑violent, stressing that any aggression could undermine their cause and give the government a pretext for a crackdown. Legal scholars attending the protest point out that the commission’s independence is enshrined in Article 324 of the Constitution, which vests the CEC with “the authority to conduct free and fair elections”. However, they caution that the article does not immunise the office from accountability..

“If the public perceives a conflict of interest, the legitimacy of the entire electoral process is jeopardised,” said Dr. Meera Nair, a constitutional law professor at Delhi University. She added that the pressure being applied by the INDIA bloc could, in theory, prompt a judicial review, but such cases are rare and often protracted..

The timing of the protest is also significant. It comes just weeks before the national general elections, a period traditionally marked by heightened political activity and scrutiny. International observers have noted the “volatile” climate, with several foreign embassies issuing travel advisories for journalists covering the events..

The European Union’s delegation in New Delhi released a statement urging “all stakeholders to respect democratic norms and ensure that the election machinery remains impartial and transparent”. Inside the Election Commission’s headquarters, sources say that Gyanesh Kumar has been briefed on the developments and is consulting with senior officials. A senior bureaucrat, who asked not to be named, confirmed that the commissioner has received “numerous letters and calls from political leaders, civil society and the judiciary”..

While the commission has not issued an official response, an unnamed source hinted that a “review panel” might be convened to examine the allegations, though no timetable has been set. The protest’s impact on daily life in Delhi has been palpable. Metro services on the Yellow and Pink lines have reported delays, and several major intersections have been rerouted to accommodate the police cordon..

Local businesses near Jantar Mantar report a mixed picture: some see an influx of customers, while others complain of disrupted supply chains. Residents in the vicinity expressed a mixture of solidarity and fatigue, with one neighbour saying, “We support a fair election, but we also need our streets back to normal”. As the day draws to a close, both sides appear poised for a standoff..