Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Kharge to host INDIA bloc MPs for lunch; CJP claims volunteers ‘detained’ ahead of Delhi stir

Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: INDIA bloc MPs are set to hold another protest today after several lawmakers, travelling in three buses, tried to organise a large-scale demonstration against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday but were stopped by Delhi Police.

Key Events

• 8 Mins agoWhy CEC Gyanesh Kumar is under fire
• 19 Mins agoSamajwadi Party, which has 37 MPs, expected to join protest today
• 24 Mins agoCEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Z+ security upgraded
• 26 Mins agoCJP to also stage protest against CEC in Bengaluru
• 33 Mins agoINDIA bloc's protest to continue for third straight day

Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: On Wednesday, nearly 300 Opposition MPs marched from Parliament towards Akashvani Bhavan, increasing pressure on Gyanesh Kumar and demanding his resignation.

Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: INDIA bloc MPs are set to hold another protest today after several lawmakers, travelling in three buses, tried to organise a large-scale demonstration against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday. The Delhi Police had stopped them near Janpath, bringing traffic and activity across much of New Delhi to a standstill....Read More

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) will also hold a massive protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Freedom Park in Bengaluru today, which will also see participation from actor Prakash Raj and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee.

Opposition protests to continue, security tightened in Delhi

On Wednesday, nearly 300 Opposition MPs marched from Parliament towards Akashvani Bhavan, increasing pressure on Gyanesh Kumar and demanding his resignation.

Several parties attended a lunch hosted by Congress chief and LoP in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, but the Samajwadi Party, which has 37 MPs in the Lok Sabha, stayed away, citing a lack of communication from the Congress. However, the SP is expected to take part in the INDIA bloc's protest today, HT has learnt.

The protests are part of a series of INDIA bloc demonstrations against Kumar. Most MPs and party supporters were detained and taken away.

However, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with Congress general secretary KC Venugopal and a few other party leaders, managed to enter the Akashvani Bhavan campus and continue their protest.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Z+ security upgraded

Amid ongoing protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Union government has strengthened his existing Z+ security cover. More personnel have now been deployed outside his residence, at the Election Commission office and as part of his personal security, HT has learnt.

A senior police officer said, “The protesters managed to trace his house. There was another protest outside his family’s house in Agra. We had to assess all the threats and increase the security cover. We had also placed a few pickets near his house.”

Why CEC Gyanesh Kumar is under fire

The protests against Kumar come amid criticism of the Election Commission over the SIR of electoral rolls. The controversy intensified after reports said that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months to decisions and orders, some of which they said were issued without their knowledge.

The Election Commission has, however, said that the three-member poll panel took all decisions, including those concerning the SIR, unanimously.

Follow all the updates here:

Oct 8, 2026, 10:25:30 IST

Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: The protests against Kumar come amid criticism of the Election Commission over the SIR of electoral rolls. The controversy intensified after reports said that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months to decisions and orders, some of which they said were issued without their knowledge.

The Election Commission has, however, said that the three-member poll panel took all decisions, including those concerning the SIR, unanimously.

Oct 8, 2026, 10:14:35 IST

Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Several parties attended a lunch hosted by Congress chief and LoP in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, but the Samajwadi Party, which has 37 MPs in the Lok Sabha, stayed away, citing a lack of communication from the Congress.

However, the SP is expected to take part in the INDIA bloc's protest today, HT has learnt.

The protests are part of a series of INDIA bloc demonstrations against Kumar. Most MPs and party supporters were detained and taken away.

Oct 8, 2026, 10:10:12 IST

Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Amid ongoing protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Union government has strengthened his existing Z+ security cover. More personnel have now been deployed outside his residence, at the Election Commission office and as part of his personal security, HT has learnt.

A senior police officer said, “The protesters managed to trace his house. There was another protest outside his family’s house in Agra. We had to assess all the threats and increase the security cover. We had also placed a few pickets near his house.”

Read full story here.

Oct 8, 2026, 10:07:29 IST

Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Actor Prakash Raj said on Wednesday that a "people' tribunal" would be held in Bengaluru on October 8, with people from across Karnataka who he described as "victims of SIR" expected to attend. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee will also take part in the stir.

Raj, who has criticised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, announced the programme on social media.

"Requesting all the citizens to participate in this fight to save our democracy. Come join us tomorrow, 8th October at Freedom Park... Bengaluru," he said.

In a video, Raj said Rathee, a social media influencer, would also attend the event. Rathee later posted a video on his X account confirming that he would participate in the programme.

Oct 8, 2026, 10:00:30 IST

Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: INDIA bloc MPs are set to hold another protest today after several lawmakers, travelling in three buses, tried to organise a large-scale demonstration against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.

The Delhi Police had stopped them near Janpath, bringing traffic and activity across much of New Delhi to a standstill.

Home India news Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Security tightened in Delhi ahead of Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA bloc's protest against CEC