Water cannons deployed as Bihar Congress marches against Election Commission chief

Police deployed water cannons to stop a Congress march in Bihar on Wednesday as party workers mounted a vocal protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising sharp questions over his conduct and impartiality.

Demonstrators carrying placards and chanting slogans against Kumar and the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre were brought to a halt by the water-cannon response, underscoring the growing tension between the opposition and the country's top electoral authority.

The protest drew a pointed rebuttal from the ruling side, with the Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party chief arguing that Kumar not only deserved no censure but was worthy of recognition, suggesting he merited at least a Padma Bhushan award. The contrasting reactions highlighted the deepening political divide over the Election Commission's leadership ahead of what promises to be a highly charged electoral season.