Opposition unites behind Gandhi over election chief controversy

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has escalated his criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, leveling charges of procedural misconduct in the electoral process and demanding his immediate resignation. The move reflects growing tensions between India's principal opposition alliance and the country's electoral management body over the administration of recent voting processes.

Gandhi's call has resonated across opposition benches, with multiple political parties joining the Congress in voicing their support for the demand. The unified stance marks a rare show of solidarity among diverse opposition factions that frequently diverge on policy matters.

In a coordinated response, opposition parties announced they will stage nationwide demonstrations on Friday to amplify their concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission. The planned protests are expected to draw participation from workers and supporters across multiple states, signaling the scale of discontent within the opposition camp.

The controversy comes amid broader debates about the independence and impartiality of India's electoral machinery, an issue that has periodically flared up during the country's democratic processes. The Election Commission has not yet issued a formal response to the resignation demand.