Congress MLAs disrupt J&K assembly, demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation

Congress legislators disrupted proceedings in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly on Friday, staging a protest in the well of the House to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration came amid a reported controversy over differences within the Election Commission of India.

During Question Hour, several Congress members rose from their seats, moved into the well of the House and displayed banners. The placards carried the message that there could be no democracy without fair elections, and the protesters called for the removal of the CEC.

Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather objected to the display of placards. He told the legislators that the Election Commission of India did not fall under the Assembly's jurisdiction and directed them to return to their seats, warning of action if they did not comply. CPI(M) MLA M.Y. Tarigami extended support to the protesting Congress members.

In a parallel demonstration in Jammu, Congress workers and leaders gathered outside the Nirvachan Bhawan to press the same demand. The protest was led by Congress Member of Parliament and Jammu and Kashmir in-charge Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, and was joined by senior local leaders. The protesters sought not only the CEC's resignation but also his prosecution.

The party said police detained a number of its leaders during the protest. Former Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Tara Chand said a large number of party members had been taken into custody because of their demand for the CEC's resignation.