The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a protest in Chandigarh against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party accused him of "vote chori" — vote theft. The protest took place near the office of the Punjab chief electoral officer.
The demonstration was led by AAP leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, along with Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. Several AAP leaders were later detained by the Chandigarh Police.
AAP Protest Against CEC: What Happened in Chandigarh
AAP workers and leaders gathered in Chandigarh to demonstrate against the BJP-led Centre. The party also criticized the Centre for detaining protesters ahead of a proposed demonstration by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
The protesters carried placards with messages such as "Vote Chhor Gaddi Chhor" and "Loktan..." — showing their anger against the Election Commission and the central government.
Among those detained by the Chandigarh Police were Manish Sisodia, Baltej Punia, and Sonia Mann. The detentions came as the protest was underway.
Why AAP Is Backing the CJP Stir Call
AAP has extended its support to the proposed stir by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The party said the BJP-led Centre was detaining protesters even before the demonstration could take place.
This protest in Chandigarh is part of AAP's broader stand against the Election Commission's working under CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The party has been raising the "vote chori" charge — claiming that votes are being stolen.
- AAP held the protest near the Punjab chief electoral officer's office in Chandigarh.
- The protest was led by Manish Sisodia and Harpal Singh Cheema.
- Placards carried messages like "Vote Chhor Gaddi Chhor."
- Chandigarh Police detained Sisodia, Baltej Punia, and Sonia Mann.
- AAP also backed the CJP's proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Our Take: AAP's Protest and the Detentions
In our view, this protest shows AAP is trying to keep the "vote chori" issue alive in public memory. By holding the demonstration in Chandigarh — Punjab being an AAP-ruled state — the party is sending a clear message that it will not back down on its charge against the Chief Election Commissioner.
To put it plainly, the detention of senior leaders like Manish Sisodia will likely give AAP more political ammunition. The party can now argue that the Centre is using police action to silence protest. Whether that argument works with voters is a different question.
What readers should note is this: AAP is not just protesting alone. It is also backing the CJP's stir call in Delhi. This suggests the party wants to build a larger front against the Election Commission's functioning. The coming days will show whether other opposition parties join in.
For now, the facts are simple — AAP protested, leaders were detained, and the party has made its stand clear against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the BJP-led Centre.
