Congress activists clash with police in Bharatpur over election commission allegations

Bharatpur, September 29. Tensions flared in Bharatpur on Tuesday as Congress party workers and members of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) organized a protest march from the Bijlighar intersection to the local Collectorate. The demonstrators were demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral process and accusations of vote tampering.

The protest escalated when the demonstrators reached the main entrance of the Collectorate. Despite the presence of a heavy police deployment, the activists attempted to breach the security perimeter. When authorities blocked their path with barricades, several NSUI members climbed onto the structures to continue their protest, chanting slogans against the ruling party. The situation prompted police to intervene, resulting in the detention of several protesters who were subsequently removed from the site in police vehicles.

During the demonstration, Rikki Hantra, the State General Secretary of the Women's Congress, leveled serious allegations against both the Election Commission and the state leadership. She claimed that the electoral process was being compromised through collusion between the commission and the ruling party. Hantra further alleged that the Chief Minister of Rajasthan was involved in these activities, asserting that the Election Commission should remain an independent constitutional body free from external pressure.

The protest also touched upon recent municipal body elections in Rajasthan. Hantra alleged that Congress councilors were subjected to undue pressure and forced to vote in favor of the BJP, describing the tactics as a direct assault on democratic principles. She emphasized that the party is seeking greater transparency and fairness in all upcoming electoral exercises.

While the Congress party continues to voice these concerns, the Election Commission has maintained that its procedures, including the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, are conducted strictly in accordance with legal mandates. The ongoing national-level debate regarding the functioning of the commission and the integrity of voter lists continues to fuel political friction across the region.