PM Modi, Amit Shah, CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Mohan Bhagwat Will Be 'Brought To Justice', S
PM Modi, Amit Shah, CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Mohan Bhagwat Will Be 'Brought To Justice', Says Rahul Gandhi
M.U.H
07/10/202620
INDIA bloc leaders took a bus to Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Wednesday to protest Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, but security personnel stopped them, forcing them to stage a sit-in near Jantar Mantar.
The march followed a lunch meeting hosted by Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge for INDIA bloc MPs at Sagar Ratna on Janpath. The Opposition leaders discussed their concerns over the SIR exercise and a letter seeking an urgent meeting with the Election Commission.
"We will protest now at Jantar Mantar, which is a designated protest site," Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said after the meeting. Rahul demanded Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and said the Opposition would keep raising the issue. He added, "Gyanesh Kumar will have to resign."
The latest protest comes a day after INDIA bloc MPs marched towards the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in New Delhi. Security personnel stopped the leaders midway, following which Rahul Gandhi climbed a police barricade and waved the tricolour.
The Opposition leaders later staged a sit-in at Akashvani Bhavan. Police detained Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and registered FIRs in connection with the protest.
Referring to the FIR against him, Rahul said, "I have 45 FIRs against me. My goal is to have 100. I want 100 FIRs to be filed against me. Every FIR is a medal for me."
Kharge said the Opposition would continue its protests until its demands were addressed. "We have decided that the voice of the people should reach the entire country. That is our work," he said.
Opposition Leaders Reject FIR Concerns
Several Opposition leaders said the cases registered after Tuesday's protest would not stop them from continuing their campaign. Congress MP K C Venugopal said the party was not afraid of FIRs and would continue its fight. "Let them file thousands of FIRs. Who is bothered about it?" he said. Congress MP Pawan Khera described the FIRs as a "badge of honour" and said Opposition MPs were preparing a letter for the Election Commission. Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda also said the Opposition would not be intimidated by the cases.
TMC MP Derek O'Brien said the Opposition was united in its campaign. "We are all here together; we are all here united, and we are all here without any egos," he said.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal questioned why the Election Commission had not met Opposition leaders.
AAP, Left Join Protest In Delhi
The campaign against the CEC also continued separately at the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer's office near Kashmere Gate.
AAP leaders and workers, along with Congress and Left party members, staged a protest after marching from Sindhi Academy. They raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj announced a nationwide protest on October 10, with Jantar Mantar as its epicentre. He said the AAP, Left parties, student organisations and other groups would support the protest.
AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar demanded Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. The latest mobilisation follows the Opposition's protest on Tuesday, when INDIA bloc MPs sought a meeting with the Election Commission over their concerns regarding the SIR exercise. The parties have said they will continue raising the issue.
