Story perspectives

BJP Says Protests Target Election Commissioner for Regime Change

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 4:35 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Lawyer Prashant Bhushan said protests against Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar aim for regime change at a conference on October 15, 2026.
BJP frames protests as conspiracy to emulate Bangladesh’s 2024 regime change and undermine constitutional institutions.
Protesters including the Cockroach Janta Party and student organisations demanded Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign over alleged electoral roll irregularities.

History

Historical Context

In 1998, after the United Front collapsed when the INC withdrew support in November 1997, India held early general elections on 16, 22 and 28 February. The BJP, led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, formed a fragile coalition government with outside support, which fell in April 1999, underscoring enduring concerns over electoral roll integrity that echo in today’s protests.

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Story summary

Lawyer Prashant Bhushan said protests against Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar aim for regime change at a conference on October 15, 2026.
BJP frames protests as conspiracy to emulate Bangladesh’s 2024 regime change and undermine constitutional institutions.
Protesters including the Cockroach Janta Party and student organisations demanded Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign over alleged electoral roll irregularities.

1 / 2