The Congress is holding a padayatra demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar

Congress leaders and workers stage a padayatra demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Gandhi Chowk in Yadgir on Tuesday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Congress party leaders and workers staged a padayatra in Yadgir on Tuesday demanding the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and accused 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 from the Mailapur base marched through key thoroughfares before culminating in a public rally at Gandhi Chowk in the old city area.

Addressing the demonstration, Mr. Tunnur alleged that the Union government was misusing power and manipulating constitutional bodies, including the ECI, to undermine the integrity of the elections. He alleged that the recent measures taken under Mr. Kumar’s leadership have disproportionately affected the voting rights of Dalits, Backward Classes, Minorities and Economically Weaker Groups.

“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 in favor of the BJP,” Mr. Tunnur said, adding that Mr. Kumar must be removed immediately to ensure free and fair elections in the future.

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

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

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

Published – 06 Oct 2026 19:49 IST