BAHRAICH, Oct. 4 -- The Samajwadi Party (SP) held a workers' conference at its district office in Bahraich on Saturday, demanding the removal of chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and alleging concerns regarding transparency and impartiality in the electoral process. Former minister and SP leader Yasar Shah, addressing party workers, stated that an independent and impartial Election Commission is essential for the functioning of democracy. Quoting former CEC TN Seshan, who famously declared, "I am not the government's Election Commissioner, but the Election Commissioner of the entire country," Shah noted that the commission previously adhered to this principle. He argued that since the BJP came to power, it has begun exploiting every pillar of democracy, with institutions now appearing to dance to the party's tune. He expressed regret that the current election commission and its commissioners are operating entirely in the BJP's interest. Referring to an investigation published by The Indian Express, Shah stated that the two other election commissioners had formally raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period regarding decisions related to the electoral roll and the SIR process. Shah alleged that the present CEC has been working for the BJP. SP district president Ramharsh Yadav announced a week-long programme of protests. According to the schedule, party workers will hold marches across all Assembly constituencies on October 4. Youth frontal organisations are set to demonstrate at the district headquarters on October 5, followed by programmes organized by the Mahila Sabha and the minority wing on October 6. On October 7, workers from the Bahraich and Matera Assembly constituencies will march to the district headquarters. A massive demonstration will take place there on October 8, after which a memorandum will be submitted to the district magistrate demanding the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and seeking criminal action against him. SP MLA Anand Yadav, former MLA Ramesh Gautam, former MP Savitri Bai Phule, Prayagpur Nagar Panchayat chairman Balendu Srivastava and a large number of party workers were present at the conference. htc...