Pinarayi Vijayan Demands Gyanesh Kumar Resignation After Delhi Detention

Former Kerala Chief Minister and CPI-M leader Pinarayi Vijayan demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following his detention by Delhi Police on October 10, 2026. Vijayan and other leaders from the CPI-M and CITU were taken into custody while attempting to march from Kerala House to protest Kumar's refusal to step down.

Vijayan reported being held in a police vehicle for three and a half hours before being moved to the Mandir Marg Police Station, alleging he was denied medication and provided only leftover food meant for police personnel. He claimed that police brutally assaulted protesters from the DYFI and SFI and attempted to physically overpower CPI-M MP John Brittas. Vijayan characterized the crackdown as a "police raj" and argued that the government acted undemocratically by disregarding Supreme Court observations on the right to protest.

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan condemned the arbitrary detention and directed the State Chief Secretary and the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi to coordinate with authorities for Vijayan's immediate release. While the Delhi Police stated that the leaders had not been formally arrested and would be released shortly, Vijayan called for legal action against officers involved in physical attacks and contempt of court.