Kharge Demands CEC’s Removal, PM Modi’s Resignation Over SIR Row

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday demanded the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He also called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation on moral grounds, alleging pressure on the poll panel chief.

Addressing the Congress Working Committee (CWC), Kharge said the party would intensify its campaign in Parliament and on the streets. He outlined five demands, including full disclosure of changes to electoral rolls, timely access to voter data for political parties, an independent time-bound probe into serious discrepancies, and an appeal mechanism for voters whose names are deleted.

Kharge also alleged that changes to Form 6, used for new voter enrolment, could disenfranchise young voters, and accused the government of attempting “Votebandi”.

The Congress leader cited reported objections raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over SIR-related decisions. The Election Commission has rejected reports of a rift, saying differing views are part of institutional deliberations and maintaining that SIR decisions were taken unanimously and followed statutory procedures.

With elections in several states approaching, Kharge said the Congress would continue pressing for transparency in electoral rolls, an independent election process and safeguards for every eligible voter.