Congress holds padayatra demanding removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar

​Congress party leaders and workers on Tuesday took out a padayatra in Yadgir, demanding the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the Election Commission of India (ECI) of functioning under political pressure from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre.

​Led by Yadgir MLA Channareddy Patil Tunnur, a large number of supporters marched from Mailapur Base through key thoroughfares before culminating in a public rally at Gandhi Chowk in the old town area.

​Addressing the demonstration, Mr. Tunnur alleged that the Union government had been abusing power and manipulating constitutional bodies, including the ECI, to compromise the integrity of elections. He claimed that recent measures taken under the leadership of Mr. Kumar had disproportionately affected the voting rights of Dalits, Backward Classes, minorities, and economically weaker sections.

​”The Chief Election Commissioner, who is expected to act independently and uphold constitutional norms, has surrendered to the political interests of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to benefit the BJP,” Mr. Tunnur said, adding that Mr. Kumar must be sacked immediately to ensure free and fair elections in the future.

​Speaking at the gathering, District Congress Committee (DCC) president Basareddy Anapur and party leaders Sharanappa Manegar, Krishna Chepetla, and Samson Malikeri condemned the Union government for undermining democratic institutions.

They said that the protest was part of a broader nationwide agitation launched by the Congress party, which would continue until the Chief Election Commissioner is removed from the office.

Local leaders, including Siddalingareddy Ullesugur, Saibanna Borbanda, Mallikarjun Ete, Raghavendra Manasagal, and Laxman Rathod, were present.