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Cec Gyanesh Kumar Postpones Chhattisgarh Visit Amid Protests
Confirmed
In Short: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and other senior Election Commission officials have postponed their two-day visit to Chhattisgarh amid opposition protests.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and other senior Election Commission officials have postponed their two-day visit to Chhattisgarh, originally scheduled for October 7 and 8, amid opposition protests.
The postponement follows earlier instances where Kumar's visits to other states were also postponed amid controversies surrounding the poll panel.
Kumar was scheduled to visit the Danteshwari Mata temple in Dantewada district, the Chitrakoot waterfall in Bastar, and the Bhoramdev temple in Kawardha district.
The opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, are protesting against what they call 'vote chori' charges and are demanding Kumar's resignation in the wake of media reports alleging differences within the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Chhattisgarh government had accorded Kumar the status of a 'state guest' for the visit.
The postponement comes amid growing criticism over the SIR of electoral rolls and a controversy involving four migrant workers from West Bengal who have been detained in Chhattisgarh after their names were deleted from the voters' list.
The visit has been postponed amid opposition protests against Kumar and the functioning of the Election Commission of India.
The opposition leaders were protesting against what they all called 'vote chori' charges and sought resignation of Kumar in the wake of media reports alleging differences within the Election Commission over the SIR of electoral rolls and other issues.
The CEC’s proposed itinerary reportedly included visits to the temples of Goddess Danteshwari in Dantewada and Bhoramdeo in Kabirdham, besides Chitrakoot waterfall in Bastar.
The postponement comes amid intensified opposition protests demanding Kumar’s resignation, talk of a notice in Parliament for an impeachment motion, and petitions pending before the Supreme Court.
BJD MPs Manas Mangaraj and Sulata Deo, along with former MP Muzibulla Khan, participated in the march from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters in New Delhi, marking a departure from the party's earlier working relationship with the BJP-led NDA.
The decision was taken at the direction of party president Naveen Patnaik, who has also demanded Kumar's resignation over the SIR exercise.
What this adds
The postponement comes amid growing criticism over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a controversy involving four migrant workers from West Bengal who have been detained in Chhattisgarh after their names were deleted from the voters' list.
The opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, are protesting against what they call 'vote chori' charges and are demanding Kumar's resignation in the wake of media reports alleging differences within the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The CEC’s proposed itinerary reportedly included visits to the temples of Goddess Danteshwari in Dantewada and Bhoramdeo in Kabirdham, besides Chitrakoot waterfall in Bastar.
Background
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and other senior Election Commission officials have postponed their two-day visit to Chhattisgarh, originally scheduled for October 7 and 8, amid opposition protests.
What's confirmed
- As per a letter issued Tuesday by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Chhattisgarh, Kumar had been declared a State Guest for the duration of his visit, and instructions had been issued to make the necessary protocol arrangements for him.
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and other senior Election Commission officials have postponed their two-day visit to Chhattisgarh, scheduled for October 7 and 8.
- Kumar was scheduled to visit the popular Danteshwari Mata temple in Dantewada district, the Chitrakoot waterfall in Bastar, and the Bhoramdev temple in Kawardha district.
- A government order issued on Tuesday, October 6, said the visit had been postponed due to 'unavoidable reasons'.
What's still developing
- Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel.
- Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements.
- Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh.
- The men were among 23 migrant workers who travelled to Chhattisgarh in late August in search of work and were selling goods door-to-door in the Bilaspur area.
- He said the AAP had already decided to join protests held on the streets over the “vote chori” issue. - Ends During this period I have been covering mainly legal beat as Supreme Court, Law ministry, Law commission, Election commission.
- Gandhi had earlier entered the AIR premises on Parliament Street around noon and started the dharna after police thwarted an attempt by opposition MPs to march towards the Election Commission office, barely 300 metres away, over the "vote chori" charge.
- BJD leaders have cited the Supreme Court's clarification while renewing their demand for Kumar's resignation.
- His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages.
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