- Over 40 of Congress's 140 MPs skipped the protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
- Rahul Gandhi sought a report on the absences from KC Venugopal
- Maharashtra MPs who were absent have been summoned to Delhi
- Absent MPs must attend the Central Hall today and respond to the party
- Congress declared 8 October a 'Black Day for Indian Democracy'
Over 40 of Congress’s 140 MPs skipped a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi, and the party has now asked the absentees to explain. The figure covers members of both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.
What happened
The protest was led by Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Opposition MPs marched from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters and were stopped by police. They later gathered for a lunch meeting hosted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. On 8 October, they arrived at Raj Ghat in the late afternoon.
Rahul Gandhi said opposition MPs were being prevented from staging their protest and that party members were assaulted. He posted a video claiming more than 300 MPs had arrived and asked why Gyanesh Kumar was not meeting them.
Party seeks answers
Rahul Gandhi asked KC Venugopal, Congress general secretary, for a report on the MPs’ absence. Congress leaders have also sought an explanation from Maharashtra MPs who did not attend, and have summoned them to Delhi.
The absent MPs have been asked to respond and to be present at the Central Hall today.
Kharge had earlier told all MPs to stay in Delhi. Congress has also declared 8 October a “Black Day for Indian Democracy” across the country, in response to standoffs and police action against Opposition leaders.
Background
In April 2026, Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Bilra rejected a notice of motion brought by Opposition members to remove Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner. Opposition MPs were earlier denied permission to go to Jantar Mantar to continue their protest against the Election Commission of India.
Congress MP Pawan Khera said the party’s demand remains that Gyanesh Kumar resign, and that protests will continue wherever the INDIA bloc is stopped.
