Rahul Gandhi has asked Delhi traders to urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying protests over the SIR exercise would stop in 30 seconds. The appeal comes as traders seek a delay to the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally over concerns about business disruption.
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged Delhi traders to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, claiming that protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls would stop within 30 seconds if the demand were accepted. His appeal comes ahead of the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan, as traders raise concerns about possible disruption to business during the festive shopping season.
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday, October 26, urged traders in Delhi to press Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying protests over the revision of electoral rolls would end within 30 seconds if the government acted on the demand.
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In a post on X, Gandhi said traders were being affected by metro closures, road restrictions and security measures during protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He linked the disruption to concerns over what the Congress describes as “vote theft” and alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
“To every trader in Delhi: We love you and hear you,” Gandhi wrote. He added that when votes were allegedly stolen, businesses, savings and children's futures could be at risk. He then urged traders to tell the Prime Minister to remove Kumar, whom he referred to as “accused no. 4”, saying the protests would stop in 30 seconds.
Gandhi's remarks come amid a dispute over the INDIA bloc's planned November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has asked the opposition alliance to postpone the rally until after November 10, citing concerns that traffic diversions and transport restrictions could affect businesses during the festive shopping period.
The traders' body also referred to the impact of previous rallies, marches and road closures in Connaught Place and other parts of central Delhi. The INDIA bloc has planned the gathering as part of its campaign against alleged electoral-roll irregularities and its demand for Kumar's removal.
Mallikarjun Kharge renews criticism of the Election Commission
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the Modi government on Monday, accusing it of protecting Kumar despite allegations of electoral irregularities. Kharge alleged that the Election Commission had declined to disclose information about the software used in the SIR process under the Right to Information framework, citing “Trade Secrets”.
Kharge urged people to participate in the INDIA bloc's November 1 “Dilli Chalo” march and rally at Ramlila Maidan. He described the campaign as a movement to protect democracy and the Constitution.
He also raised questions about electoral records in Uttar Pradesh, claiming that details of 16.18 lakh Form 6 applications had not been made public. Form 6 is used by eligible applicants to seek inclusion in electoral rolls.
Kharge further cited discrepancies involving 10,470 voters in Pilibhit and said the issue had prompted authorities to order an investigation into Forms 6, 7 and 8 across Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh orders scrutiny of voter forms
Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa has directed officials to scrutinise Forms 6, 7 and 8 entered by computer assistants since April 10, when the state's SIR exercise concluded.
The directive followed allegations made by the Uttar Pradesh Congress on October 21 about possible large-scale manipulation in the Pilibhit Sadar Assembly constituency. The party claimed that thousands of voters' names had been changed despite their Electors Photo Identity Card numbers and serial numbers remaining unchanged.
The scrutiny covers Form 6 applications for adding names to electoral rolls, Form 7 applications relating to the deletion of names and objections, and Form 8 applications for corrections and other changes.
The allegations and the decision to review the forms do not, by themselves, establish that electoral fraud took place.
Congress demands halt to SIR and a return to paper ballots
Kharge reiterated the INDIA bloc's demands, which include Kumar's resignation, repeal of the 2023 law concerning the appointment and protection of election commissioners, an immediate halt to the SIR exercise and restoration of voters' names that the opposition claims were illegally removed.
The Congress has also called for elections to be conducted using paper ballots. The party has accused the Election Commission of withholding information about its ECINET software and alleged that the lack of disclosure conceals what it describes as centralised manipulation during the SIR exercise.
The Election Commission's response to these latest allegations was not included in the statements provided by the Congress leaders.
Why the November 1 rally matters
The dispute brings together three issues: the revision of electoral rolls, the independence of the Election Commission and the practical impact of political demonstrations on businesses in Delhi.
The SIR process involves reviewing electoral rolls to identify and verify eligible voters. The Congress has questioned aspects of the exercise and alleged irregularities, while the Uttar Pradesh authorities' scrutiny of voter forms is a separate administrative response to complaints raised in that state. Allegations of manipulation should not be treated as proven findings unless supported by the results of an investigation or other verified evidence.
The controversy also concerns the legal framework governing election commissioners. The Congress and INDIA bloc are demanding changes to the law and Kumar's removal, while Gandhi has directly appealed to traders who may be affected by restrictions around the planned rally.
For Delhi's trading community, the immediate concern is the possibility of traffic diversions, transport restrictions and reduced customer access during the festive shopping period. The CTI's request to postpone the rally reflects those concerns, although the final decision on the event's timing rests with the organisers.
The November 1 gathering is therefore expected to be a focus of the political dispute over electoral-roll revision, while the debate over business disruption adds a local economic dimension to the wider national controversy.
Published: 26 Oct 2026, 09:33 pm IST
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