Tear gas fired as India protests target election chief

NEW DELHI: Indian police used tear gas and water cannons on Friday as opposition supporters took to the streets demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Congress activists and other opposition groups organised demonstrations in several parts of the country. They accused the Election Commission of making changes to voter lists that they say could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Police used water cannons in Chandigarh after some protesters climbed onto buses and crossed barricades. Demonstrations were also held in Delhi and a number of other states, with protesters carrying placards and chanting slogans against Kumar.

The latest protests followed a media report about disagreements among senior Election Commission officials over changes to electoral rolls. Opposition parties have used the report to renew their criticism of the poll body.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called for Kumar to resign and alleged irregularities in the electoral process. Kumar has not publicly responded to the accusations.

The Election Commission has defended its procedures, saying differences among officials are part of institutional functioning and insisting that its decisions have been taken according to the law.

The BJP has rejected the opposition’s allegations and accused rival parties of attempting to discredit the election authorities.

Separately, the youth-led Cockroach movement has threatened nationwide protests from October 2 if Kumar does not step down by Saturday.

The dispute comes ahead of several important state elections next year, including polls in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. The contests will take place ahead of India’s next parliamentary elections, scheduled for 2029.