By Firstdespatch Desk Oct 01, 2026
Agartala, Oct 1 (FD) Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president Asish Kumar Saha on Thursday demanded the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the Election Commission had undermined the democratic process.
Addressing a mass Satyagraha organised by the Tripura Pradesh Congress Seva Dal in Agartala, Saha said the programme was intended to “awaken the people” against what he described as the erosion of the democratic environment in Tripura and across the country. His allegations and demands are those of the Congress; the Election Commission has maintained that its decisions are taken in accordance with the law.
Saha alleged that voters in Tripura had faced fear, intimidation and obstruction during elections since 2018. He claimed that opposition supporters were subjected to attacks and pressure before and after polling and alleged that electoral malpractice had been used to influence outcomes.
Referring to Chief Minister Manik Saha’s recent defence of the Chief Election Commissioner, the Pradesh Congress chief questioned the basis for the support. He alleged that the state government had failed to ensure free and fair elections and accused the ruling establishment of using administrative machinery against political opponents.
Saha also criticised legal provisions governing protection and accountability of the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging that they weakened the scope for legal action against the Election Commission. He said the Congress had opposed the legislation and referred to the suspension of MPs during its passage.
The Congress leader further raised allegations concerning electoral rolls in Maharashtra, Haryana, Bihar and West Bengal. Referring to claims made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Saha alleged that eligible voters had been removed from electoral rolls while questionable names were added, potentially affecting constituencies where the BJP had won by narrow margins in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Election Commission has rejected allegations of unlawful manipulation and said its electoral-roll processes follow established legal procedures.
Saha also alleged that Gyanesh Kumar had disregarded the views of the other Election Commissioners in matters concerning the electoral process.
He accused the Tripura government of suppressing protests by unemployed youths and restricting programmes organised by opposition parties, alleging selective use of police and administrative machinery.
“The movement will be sustained and continuous,” Saha said, calling on citizens to participate in what he described as a struggle to protect democratic rights.
Congress MLA Gopal Chandra Roy and other party leaders and workers were present at the Satyagraha. FD JK