‘Save Vote, Save Nation’: Congress and INDIA Bloc Stage Massive March in Ahmedabad Demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Arrest

AHMEDABAD — Protesters flooded the streets of central Ahmedabad as the Congress party, supported by key INDIA bloc partners, staged a high-decibel 'Save Vote, Save Nation' march against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Waving banners and shouting slogans, opposition workers marched from Ghantakarna Market to Sarangpur, demanding the immediate dismissal and arrest of the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged compromises to voting rights and electoral transparency.

The rally formed a key regional leg of the nationwide 'Save Democracy Week' observed from October 2 to October 8 by the central Congress leadership. Organised following directives from Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Amit Chavda, the march saw strong participation from alliance partners including the Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the Samajwadi Party.

Preamble Recited at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Statue

The protest march culminated at Sarangpur, where opposition leaders and workers gathered around the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. To underline their stance on constitutional safeguards, party leaders publicly read out the provisions of Article 326 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees adult suffrage and the fundamental right to vote.

Key demands raised during the protest include:

• Immediate Dismissal: Action to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from his constitutional post.
• Arrest Demand: Criminal proceedings and immediate arrest of the Chief Election Commissioner over handling of voter rights.
• Constitutional Rights Protection: Safeguarding adult franchise under Article 326 against administrative discrepancies.
• Opposition Unity: Joint operational strategy by Congress, CPI, CPI(M), and Samajwadi Party in Gujarat to step up demonstrations.

Congress Vows Nationwide Agitation Over Electoral Transparency

Addressing the gathering at Sarangpur, Congress leaders emphasized that the right to vote is the fundamental strength of Indian democracy and warned against any erosion of electoral integrity.

Party spokespersons stated that the agitation against the Election Commission will be expanded in the coming days across Gujarat to ensure full transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to constitutional values in upcoming elections.