Newdelhi,Oct 14, 2026 16:26 ISTCongress general secretary Sachin Pilot has labeled Narendra Modi a soon-to-be former prime minister and asserted that police actions cannot suppress youth demonstrations against alleged electoral theft. He demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, though he dismissed suggestions of an election boycott as premature at this stage.
Pilot stated that the ongoing demonstrations have revitalized opposition parties, which have taken their legal battle regarding the SIR process and alleged vote manipulation to the Supreme Court. In an interview, he drew an analogy to a fixed athletic contest, arguing that participation loses its purpose if the outcome and the referee are predetermined. He maintained that competition naturally involves victories and defeats, but the fundamental requirement is a fair contest that the current election leadership has failed to guarantee.
Expressing full confidence in the judicial system, Pilot noted that representatives from the Congress and other INDIA bloc parties have petitioned the apex court. He defended public assemblies, marches, and peaceful demonstrations as democratic rights, questioning the use of heavy police measures to quell public sentiment. He added that widespread public pressure has previously forced government accountability, such as the resignation of the education minister over examination controversies.
The senior Congress leader alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner has acted unlawfully and should step down to face legal accountability, questioning why lifetime immunity should apply to the post. He echoed remarks from Rahul Gandhi, accusing the poll panel of serving partisan political interests under external direction. Pilot praised Gandhi's persistent leadership in questioning voter lists and electoral transparency, noting that public recognition of these warnings has grown over time.
Addressing a broader coalition, Pilot welcomed participation from civil society organizations, student leaders, and non-BJP parties in the collective fight for democratic integrity. He argued that democratic institutions have faced systemic encroachment, compromising the historic independence of the Election Commission. He further criticized legislative changes that altered the selection panel for election commissioners and granted lifetime immunity, while alleging that the poll body retrospectively modified bylaws to withhold authenticated voter lists following court directives.