Congress to Hold ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ March in Ahmedabad, Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Removal

The Ahmedabad City Congress Committee is set to organise a ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ (Save Vote, Save Nation) march in the city on Thursday, October 8, as part of the opposition’s ongoing campaign over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The march is part of the ‘Lokshahi Bachao Saptah’ (Save Democracy Week) being observed by the Congress and INDIA bloc parties from October 2 to 8. The Congress had announced the wider ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ campaign earlier this week, with the party demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raising concerns over electoral-roll revisions.

March to Start From Ghantakarna Market

The Ahmedabad march will begin at 4 pm from Ghantakarna Market and proceed towards the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar at Sarangpur.

Workers and leaders of INDIA bloc ally parties in Gujarat, including the Communist Party of India (CPI), CPI(M) and Samajwadi Party, are expected to participate alongside Congress workers.

National Anthem, Article 326 Reading at Ambedkar Statue

After reaching the Ambedkar statue, participants will gather to sing the national anthem. Organisers will also read out Article 326 of the Constitution, which provides for elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies based on adult suffrage.

The Congress has said the programme is aimed at highlighting what it describes as concerns over the protection of voting rights and the electoral process.

Congress Demands CEC’s Removal

The party is demanding the resignation and removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, while its stated demands also include his arrest. Congress has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the electoral process and has raised objections to the SIR exercise.

The Election Commission has disputed allegations of wrongdoing, while the Supreme Court has said it will examine relevant records in connection with petitions concerning the electoral process and the SIR-related Form 6 issue.

The Congress has said its nationwide campaign will continue beyond the October 2-8 programme, with block-level rallies and padyatras planned from October 10 to 20 and further grassroots mobilisation later in October and November.