India, Oct. 6 -- Shiv Sena leader and former Kasba MLA Ravindra Dhangekar on Monday called for the removal of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying the government should not insist on retaining an individual in office if his functioning is repeatedly damaging its image and eroding public confidence.

Dhangekar's remarks are significant as the Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, is an ally of the BJP in both the state and the Centre, and the BJP has backed Kumar after opposition parties sought his resignation over SIR.

Shinde on his part has criticised opposition parties for seeking Kumar's resignation saying "Every wrongdoing will be probed".

In a post on X, Dhangekar said, "If the functioning ...