“How Can Nation Trust CEC?” Kharge Calls Gyanesh Kumar ‘Modi Govt’s Puppet’ Amid SIR Row

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge attacked CEC Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR row, questioning trust in the Election Commission and demanding PM Modi’s resignation during the CWC meeting.

Post Published By: Sreeja Chowdhury

Updated : 29 September 2026, 3:14 PM IST

Mallikarjun Kharge raises questions over CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the ongoing SIR controversy (Img: Dynamite News)

New Delhi: The political battle over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has intensified, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launching a sharp attack on Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the central government.

Addressing the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, Kharge questioned the credibility of the Election Commission and asked, “How can the nation trust the CEC?” He also demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the government had compromised the independence of the poll body.

Kharge Targets CEC Over SIR Controversy

The Congress chief alleged that Gyanesh Kumar was acting under the influence of the Modi government and criticised the Election Commission’s handling of issues linked to the voter list revision process.

आज कांग्रेस कार्यसमिति (CWC) की बैठक में मेरे शुरुआती वक्तव्य के कुछ अंश —

आज की बैठक उससे भी महत्वपूर्ण है। फिर से कांग्रेस के कंधों पर अंग्रेजी राज की तरह ही भारत के लोकतंत्र और संविधान को बचाने की ऐतिहासिक जिम्मेवारी खड़ी है। अंग्रेजों से हमने वोट का हक छीनकर लिया था। आज उसी… pic.twitter.com/XCAOjByUME

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) September 29, 2026

The SIR exercise has become a major political flashpoint, with opposition parties raising concerns over changes in electoral rolls and demanding greater transparency from the Election Commission.

Congress Intensifies Campaign Against Election Commission

At the CWC meeting, Congress leaders discussed their strategy on the SIR issue and decided to continue raising questions over electoral roll revisions. The party has demanded greater disclosure of changes made during the revision process.

The Election Commission has maintained that its decisions follow legal procedures and has rejected allegations questioning its functioning.

BJP and Opposition Clash Over Poll Body

The controversy has triggered a political face-off between the Congress and the BJP. While opposition leaders have accused the Election Commission of favouritism, the BJP has defended the poll body and rejected the allegations.

The issue has also drawn attention to the larger debate over electoral transparency, institutional independence and the functioning of constitutional bodies.

Supreme Court Hearing in Focus

The row comes at a time when a plea related to the functioning of the Election Commission and SIR-related decisions is also set to be heard by the Supreme Court.

With political parties continuing their campaigns, the SIR controversy remains one of the key issues in the ongoing debate over electoral processes.