Congress steps up agitation for removal of Chief Election Commissioner

Congress and CPI cadre, and other political groups, participating in a protest at Hyderabad Collectorate, demanding resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, in Hyderabad, on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR

Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Tuesday warned that the Congress would not remain silent if eligible voters were denied their fundamental right to vote, even as Telangana Youth Congress cadres staged a protest outside the State Chief Electoral Officer’s office here demanding the removal and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Speaking to the media at Sriramulapalli in Koheda mandal of Siddipet district, Mr. Prabhakar alleged that votes of poor and eligible people in rural areas were being removed in the name of revision of electoral rolls. He accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) failing to function independently and alleged that it was acting under the influence of the Centre.