Election Commission row LIVE: CPI(ML) Liberation leaders, AISA's Neha among protesters detained during Jantar Mantar agitation seeking CEC's arrest

The Congress party held protests across the country as the Opposition steps up its demand over Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. At Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, several protesters were detained during an agitation by AISA seeking Mr.

Kumar’s arrest. A senior police officer said the protesters had not sought permission for the demonstration. Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke threatened to launch a “Jantar Mantar 2.0” and nationwide agitation on October ‌2 if the CEC removal demand was not met.

He also urged opposition parties to stop participating in elections if they believe the electoral process is being rigged, saying their continued participation only legitimises such polls and creates an “illusion” that they are free and fair.

The row follows an Indian Express report stating that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally objected at least 14 times over 10 months, alleging that key decisions were taken in the name of the full Commission without their knowledge, some of them “unauthorised and illegal.” The Election Commission said “differing views” are part of its decision-making process, as the poll panel carries out a nationwide revision of the electoral database.

Also watch: LoP Rahul Gandhi addresses Delhi press briefing amid ECI dissent row over SIR Congress leader K.C. Venugopal on Friday (September 25, 2026) claimed that CEC Gyanesh Kumar is “engaged in a criminal conspiracy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah and trying to sabotage the entire democratic principles and procedures of our country”.

“His actions are illegal, his actions are unconstitutional, and he is trying to sabotage the democratic values and principles of our country. We cannot allow it at all,” he added. The Bihar unit of Congress on Friday (September 25, 2026) protested in Patna as part of nationwide demonstrations called by the party over the functioning of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the State police used water cannons to disperse party workers who attempted to reach the Chief Electoral Officer’s premises.

The Congress workers were holding placards and shouting slogans against Mr. Kumar and the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre. Bihar Congress protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, police use water cannons as march is dispersed in Patna amid electoral roll concerns.

Trinamool Congress joint secretary Derek O’Brien on Friday (September 25, 2026) said opposition parties must continue to contest elections to protect democratic rights while simultaneously fighting for free and fair polls.

He was responding to Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke’s call to boycott elections that he alleged were being rigged. “Opposition boycotting elections = BJP wins all seats. Once that happens, they amend the Constitution to legalise all their crimes,” Mr.

O’Brien said on X. He said staying away from elections would also mean betraying party supporters working on the ground. “Also not contesting elections means betraying the lakhs of workers who are on the ground, fighting with their lives,” he said.

“That is why it is important to fight elections to protect democratic rights, while also fighting for free and fair elections,” he added. CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, Yogendra Yadav and several other party leaders were detained from the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar seeking the removal and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

“Despite the detentions and police barricading, the protest continues. The resistance will continue!” the party said, posting a video of the leaders being taken into police vans. The Nagaland Congress on Friday (September 25, 2026) demanded the immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that decisions related to the SIR of electoral rolls were taken arbitrarily and without consultation with the other two election commissioners.