MUMBAI, September 26: Police used tear gas and water cannons against opposition protesters in India on Friday as demonstrations spread across the country demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Congress and other opposition groups accuse the Election Commission of changing voter lists in ways that favour Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
Congress supporters demonstrated in at least a dozen states. In Delhi, protesters climbed barricades, while police deployed water cannons at demonstrations in other cities. The opposition’s allegations intensified after an Indian Express report raised questions about changes to electoral rolls and discussions within the commission.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called for Kumar’s immediate resignation. A youth movement involved in the campaign has threatened further nationwide protests on October 2 if he remains in office.
The allegations remain disputed. The Election Commission says its actions have been lawful and describes differences among its officials as normal. The BJP also rejects claims that it benefited from manipulated voter lists, accusing opposition parties of trying to discredit election results.
The confrontation comes before state elections scheduled for next year, including contests in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. How the commission addresses questions about voter rolls could affect public confidence well beyond these protests. No finding of electoral manipulation has been established in the report.
