Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of functioning in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as INDIA bloc MPs marched towards the poll panel’s headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Yadav questioned the neutrality of the poll body and alleged that it was not functioning in accordance with the Constitution. His remarks came ahead of the opposition’s protest demanding accountability from the Election Commission and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The allegations are part of a wider opposition campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Opposition Marches Towards Election Commission
The INDIA bloc organised the protest march from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters. Opposition MPs gathered at Makar Dwar before beginning the march at around 11 am.
The protesters demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and raised concerns over the electoral-roll revision process.
Security arrangements were tightened across central Delhi ahead of the demonstration, with barricades placed along the route. The march was subsequently stopped by security personnel, and several opposition leaders, including Yadav, were detained.
Yadav Alleges EC Favouring BJP
Speaking ahead of the march, Yadav alleged that the Election Commission was not acting impartially.
He claimed that the poll panel was functioning in a manner that benefited the BJP and questioned whether complaints submitted by opposition parties had received adequate attention.
Yadav also alleged that the Commission had failed to act on complaints concerning voter deletions and irregularities in electoral-roll applications.
The allegations represent the Samajwadi Party’s position, while the Election Commission has maintained that its electoral processes are conducted according to law.
SIR at the Centre of Opposition Protest
The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has become the main issue behind the INDIA bloc’s protests.
Opposition parties have raised concerns over the deletion and verification of voters’ names and have questioned changes associated with Form 6, the application used for inclusion in electoral rolls.
The issue has also reached the Supreme Court, where observations concerning changes to Form 6 have intensified political scrutiny of the Election Commission.
The INDIA bloc has argued that the revision process requires greater transparency and accountability.
Yadav Raises Voter Deletion Allegations
Yadav also referred to complaints raised by the Samajwadi Party regarding alleged irregularities in applications seeking deletion of voters’ names.
He cited the case of Nandlal Nishad and alleged that bogus signatures were used in Form 7 applications. According to Yadav, the party had raised the issue with the Election Commission and wanted to know whether action had been taken against officials responsible.
The claims have not been independently established, and the Election Commission’s response remains central to determining the facts surrounding individual complaints.
BJP Rejects Opposition’s Allegations
The BJP has rejected the opposition’s allegations against the Election Commission and accused the INDIA bloc of attempting to discredit constitutional institutions.
BJP leaders have defended the electoral-roll revision process and criticised the opposition’s protests against the poll panel.
The ruling party has argued that the opposition is using allegations about electoral procedures for political purposes, while opposition parties maintain that their concerns relate to electoral transparency and voters’ rights.
INDIA Bloc Demands CEC’s Resignation
The opposition alliance has made the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar one of its key demands.
The INDIA bloc has also called for changes to the SIR process and greater transparency in electoral-roll revision.
The October 6 march forms part of a larger campaign announced by opposition parties, including demonstrations and public programmes in different parts of the country.
The alliance has said it intends to continue raising the issue through Parliament, public protests and legal channels.
Akhilesh Yadav Detained During March
Yadav was among several opposition leaders detained after the march was stopped before reaching the Election Commission headquarters.
Other prominent leaders participating in the demonstration included Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Derek O’Brien and Abhishek Banerjee.
The detention further escalated the confrontation between the opposition and authorities during the protest.
Electoral Transparency Remains Key Issue
The Akhilesh Yadav EC controversy comes amid a broader political and legal debate over electoral-roll revision and the functioning of the Election Commission.
Yadav’s allegations that the poll body is favouring the BJP remain political claims, while the ECI has continued to defend its procedures.
With the INDIA bloc planning further demonstrations, the dispute over SIR, voter verification and the Election Commission’s functioning is expected to remain a prominent political issue in the coming weeks.