Congress Fury Erupts: UP Police Clash Amid Nationwide CEC Resignation Protests
Congress Fury Erupts: UP Police Clash Amid Nationwide CEC Resignation Protests
Indian National Congress stages fiery protests nationwide, clashing with police in Uttar Pradesh and other cities, demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation amidst allegations of flouting constitutional norms and elector
Uttar Pradesh witnessed intense scenes on Friday as the Congress unit, led by State Chief Ajay Rai, clashed with police during a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The protest, part of a nationwide agitation, saw Congress leaders and workers attempting to march towards the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, demanding the CEC's resignation and accountability from the Election Commission.
Mr. Rai emphatically stated that "fair elections are the foundation of democracy" and accused the current setup of flouting constitutional norms. He specifically alleged the Chief Election Commissioner's involvement in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's victory in Varanasi, calling for the election to be cancelled.
The Congress leadership warned that
attack on democracy and tampering with the autonomy of constitutional institutions will no longer be tolerated.
The confrontation escalated as Mr. Rai and other Congress leaders attempted to climb barricades, leading to a scuffle with police. Hundreds of protesting workers were subsequently detained and transported to the Eco Garden, a designated protest site in Lucknow, before being released later in the evening.
Mr. Rai sharply criticized the heavy police deployment, labeling it a sign of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's protection of the CEC and calling the detentions indicative of a "dictatorial mindset" within the state administration.
The protests were not confined to Uttar Pradesh. Across India, similar demonstrations erupted, with party workers gathering at key locations like Jantar Mantar in Delhi, Kolkata, Chandigarh, and Assam. In Delhi, protesters, including TMC MP Mahua Moitra, were detained while demanding Kumar's arrest and resignation.
In Assam, Congress leaders also faced police barricades and detentions, with some even attempting to burn an effigy of Kumar.
These nationwide actions underscore growing political tensions and concerns regarding the Election Commission's recent conduct and its impact on electoral integrity. The Congress has announced plans for district-level protests on Monday, signaling a sustained campaign against the Chief Election Commissioner.
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