Rahul Vows No Retreat Until CEC Resigns, India Marches On

New Delhi, October 12, 2026: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday asserted that his party and the Opposition will not back down until Gyanesh Kumar resigns. He reiterated his advice to Kumar that he should resign and turn approver. He said this would be a service to the nation, and he could be spared.

Addressing a special press conference ahead of the ‘Dilli Challo’ march at the AICC headquarters here today, Rahul Gandhi accused the Narendra Modi government of protecting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and asked why police force and restrictions were being used to prevent people from reaching Delhi to join the ongoing protests. He asserted that the Opposition’s movement would continue until the CEC resigned, the electoral system was reformed, and justice was delivered. 

He said the resistance against the subversion of democracy had been building for several years and was now crystallising into a wider public movement. He said that Delhi had been turned into a fortress, with thousands of police personnel deployed and people travelling to the national capital being stopped. Trains and buses were being intercepted, with passengers made to get off to prevent them from reaching Delhi.

“Why is Delhi jailed? Why is the capital city of India in jail?” Gandhi asked.

He maintained that the Congress was not deterred by the heavy security deployment and, in fact, wanted the government’s response to the people’s movement to be visible to the entire country. “Our strategy is different. We want these many policemen to be on the roads. We want this. The government is committing a big blunder. We want to show the country that the government and Modi are protecting Gyanesh Kumar,” he said.

Gandhi issued a direct warning to Gyanesh Kumar, asserting that the campaign against him would continue till his resignation and that the Opposition intended to hold those responsible for electoral wrongdoing accountable. 

“We won’t spare you. I am telling you directly. You won’t survive as CEC,” Gandhi said, pointing out that lakhs of people were questioning the CEC’s actions and conduct. He noted that the CEC was not the mastermind behind the wrongdoing and that the Opposition intended to reach those who were directing the actions of the Election Commission. “We have information about you. We know your past. 

We understand your corruption. We know it. We are waiting,” he told the CEC.

Gandhi said the Opposition’s objective extended beyond seeking the resignation of the CEC. The movement, he asserted, would continue until the electoral system was revamped, the Constitution was protected and justice was delivered. “Till the CEC does not go, the electoral system is not revamped, the Constitution is not upheld, till justice is not delivered to the citizens, Indian youth and Opposition will not stop,” he said.

Gandhi disclosed that sections of the police and security establishment were themselves uncomfortable with being used against protesting students and young people. He said that police personnel were questioning why they were being asked to stop Indian youth while individuals associated with the RSS and BJP were being allowed to move freely despite violence. He said people within the government establishment were sharing information with the Opposition and asserted that the movement was gaining support beyond political parties.

Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi told him that around 200 government officials were in contact with the Opposition and that officials associated with the Enforcement Directorate, Central Bureau of Investigation and Ministry of External Affairs were providing information. “Do whatever you want, we won’t back out,” he said. “Crores of youth want to defend democracy. They believe the Constitution to be their religion. It is the voice of India. We believe this voice as dharma, and this is being attacked,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi called upon political leaders, party workers and young people across the country to join the movement, irrespective of their political affiliations.

Gandhi said even members of the BJP were welcome to participate if they believed that the Constitution was under attack. “This is not a Modi or Rahul issue. The issue is that of India and its future,” he said, describing the movement as a struggle for the dignity, respect and future of the country’s youth and the protection of democratic institutions.

Appealing for public solidarity, Rahul Gandhi urged people to express their opposition to the erosion of constitutional principles. “Show us solidarity that you are standing with the Constitution and the flag of India. Whatever way you want to support us, support us. Express yourself. Tell the country that what is happening in the country is wrong, we are against it; the Constitution is our dharma, we won’t let it happen,” he said. He said the movement had been building for years and that the recent protests represented only its visible manifestation. “Don’t think it started five days ago. Expression is seen now. Resistance has been going on for years together. It is our perseverance,” he said.

“They may stop us today, tomorrow or the day after. A country is made like this. Country is not protected in a day or two. Month, two months, years, we won’t back down, no matter how much time it takes,” he said.

Asked about the parallel protests taking place, Gandhi said there was no division between the various demonstrations and that all of them formed part of a single movement. “All the protests are one. There are no parallel protests. India is marching,” he said. He said the battle is being fought on multiple fronts: perception, psychological, legal and political. “We are fighting on all fronts. And we are winning on all fronts,” he added.

Rahul Gandhi stressed that the Opposition was not merely seeking to mobilise people on the streets, but was attempting to change public understanding of the state of democracy in the country. “We are not fighting for the street. We are fighting for the mind,” he said.

Gandhi said that the model of governance promoted by Modi was beneficial to powerful corporate interests, including industrialist Mukesh Ambani, but posed risks for ordinary citizens and their children.

Gandhi reiterated the Opposition’s demand that the government and the Election Commission demonstrate that elections had not been manipulated. He said the Opposition was asking a straightforward question to Modi to prove that the elections had not been compromised. “The Opposition is asking one question. Prove to us you have not cheated in the elections,” he said.

Referring to the Opposition’s interaction with President Droupadi Murmu, Gandhi said the President had asked for evidence and that the Opposition was preparing material to submit to her. He noted that there had been no direct denial from the President’s office, while the Prime Minister’s Office had sought to counter the Opposition’s position.

Gandhi said the Opposition would place its evidence before the President and pursue the matter through constitutional channels.

He also expressed respect for the Supreme Court, saying he was satisfied that a legal avenue had been indicated to the Opposition by the Chief Justice of India. “We respect the Chief Justice of India. We are quite happy he has given us a path forward. Saying to us you can file a petition is a path forward,” he said.

Gandhi said the legal battle would proceed alongside political mobilisation and public campaigning.

Asked whether Gyanesh Kumar had attempted to contact him, Gandhi said messages did come and that Kumar was watching the press conference. He said several people on behalf of the government had contacted those around him, although he had not personally spoken to them. “Multiple people have reached us. Not to me. People around me,” he said. 

On another question if Government has also approached him, Gandhi said that he did not believe there was a need for private telephone conversations with people from the government side, asserting that his position was being communicated publicly and transparently. “I don’t need to talk to them on the phone. I have nothing to hide. I believe in full transparency. What I have to talk, I speak from here,” Gandhi said, while referring to the press conference.

Gandhi suggested that the CEC could be forgiven if he resigned, while reiterating that the Opposition would continue to defend the Constitution. “We understand the pressure you are under. We are forgiving people. We are not cruel people. But we will defend the Constitution,” he said.

Reiterating his resolve, Gandhi said the Opposition would not retreat in the face of police deployment, restrictions or attempts to intimidate protesters.

Highlighting the importance of perseverance in the fight to defend democracy and the Constitution, Rahul Gandhi told the youth, “We must fight this battle every day. We must neither stop nor retreat. We will face obstacles every day, but we must stand firm and not grow weary. We will neither tire nor give up, for the truth is on our side. Only those who do not stand by the truth will be defeated.”