Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and several other party leaders were detained by police in Guwahati on Friday during a protest demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, amid a political row over the Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and others, during a protest carried out by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, in Guwahati, Assam. (PTI)
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Gogoi and many others from the party were protesting against irregularities in the Election Commission (EC) under Kumar’s watch. They were arrested from GS Road in Guwahati.
“We were planning a democratic protest in front of Rajib Bhawan (the state Congress headquarters) against Kumar and how he has attacked the country’s election and democratic credentials,” Gogoi said in a video released by Congress soon after his detention.
“We were about to start when the police detained us. If they think they can keep Congress quiet by such acts, it shows their fear. We will keep on fighting to save India’s democracy,” the Nagaon MP and deputy leader of opposition in Lok Sabha added.
Besides Gogoi, several other leaders of the party who were present at the event were detained. More details are awaited.
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Election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, two of the Election Commission’s three members, had formally objected at least 14 times in 10 months to decisions related to the rollout of the SIR of electoral rolls, The Indian Express reported on Wednesday.
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Election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, two of the Election Commission’s three members, had formally objected at least 14 times in 10 months to decisions related to the rollout of the SIR of electoral rolls, The Indian Express reported on Wednesday.
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Reacting to the report, the commission said on Sunday that the objections raised by the commissioners were “part of decision-making process”.
The report, though, has revived questions about the division of power between the CEC, currently Gyanesh Kumar, and the other two members of the Election Commission of India (ECI), and how the commission decides when they disagree. The Supreme Court has ruled on both the matters.
Deep Dive
Why are Congress leaders protesting the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar?
Congress leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi, are protesting Gyanesh Kumar's removal due to alleged mismanagement and lack of transparency in the electoral process, including claims of 'vote theft' and rigged elections.
What specific actions have the CJP planned regarding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar?
The Cockroach Janta Party plans to begin nationwide protests from October 2 if Gyanesh Kumar does not resign, demanding his removal and reform of the Election Commission.
What are the allegations against Gyanesh Kumar regarding the electoral process?
Allegations against Gyanesh Kumar include undermining the electoral process, mishandling voter lists, and ignoring dissent from two election commissioners about important electoral decisions.
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Home/India News/Gaurav Gogoi, other Congress leaders detained amid protest seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar's removal
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