Gandhi Vows Unrelenting Protests as INDIA Bloc Clashes with Delhi Police over CEC

Rahul Gandhi has firmly declared that the INDIA bloc will continue its protests until Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar resigns, intensifying a political standoff that has seen opposition leaders repeatedly detained by Delhi Police. For the second consecutive day, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) were stopped and taken into custody while attempting to march to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding Kumar's removal over alleged electoral irregularities. At the heart of the escalating dispute are accusations of 'vote chori' (vote theft) and alleged illegal changes made to Form 6, the voter registration form, during the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Election Commission of India (ECI) denies these allegations, asserting that decisions were unanimous and judicially upheld, while the Supreme Court has clarified it never approved a modified Form 6 and is now seeking records to understand who authorized the changes. This confrontation highlights deep mistrust between the opposition and the ECI, especially following Kumar's appointment as CEC in February 2025 under a new law. The INDIA bloc, having already faced arrests and legal cases, is now gearing up for an even larger, nationwide protest on Thursday, October 8, 2026. With the Supreme Court actively scrutinizing the Form 6 controversy, the coming days will likely bring further legal and political drama. The sustained pressure from the opposition, coupled with judicial oversight, means the focus on the integrity of India's electoral processes and the independence of its Election Commission will only sharpen.