New Delhi:Congress leader Rahul Gandhi climbed a police barricade and waved the national flag during a protest staged by opposition parties in New Delhi. The demonstration, which took place on Tuesday, called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid accusations of irregularities in voter list revisions.
According to United News of Bangladesh, leaders and lawmakers from the opposition INDIA bloc gathered at Makar Dwar of Parliament and marched towards Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission of India's headquarters. They carried banners with the slogan 'Save Democracy' and shouted against Kumar. Gandhi, navigating through a large crowd of protestors, climbed a barricade after the march was halted by police at various security barriers, drawing cheers from opposition supporters.
During the protest, Rahul Gandhi and his sister, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were detained and briefly taken onto a police bus. They later disembarked and continued towards the ECI headquarters. The demonstration focused on alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, with opposition parties accusing the commission of manipulating voter registrations in favor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party. Both the commission and the government have denied these allegations.
The INDIA bloc has been expanding its campaign against Kumar following a strategy meeting last week. The protest has garnered support from young activists linked to the satirical Cockroach Janata Party. Notably, alliance partners Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) did not join the protest.
The Congress party intends to continue its campaign throughout the winter session of Parliament, aiming to keep election-related issues in the public eye. They, along with the Samajwadi Party, hope to maintain focus on these allegations in the lead-up to assembly elections in five states in February.
In a meeting on Monday, the Congress discussed future actions and began referring to the Election Commission as the 'Cheating Commission.' Their campaign plan includes a 'Save Vote, Save Country' program from October 10 to 20, featuring bicycle and motorcycle rallies, effigy burnings of Kumar, and leaflet distribution. Booth-level public meetings, or chaupals, are planned from October 25 to November 25, with participation from senior Congress leaders.
A significant rally is scheduled at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1, and six marches from areas surrounding Delhi are planned for November 25 and 26 as part of the 'Chalo Delhi' campaign, which will culminate in the capital on November 26, Constitution Day.
The Congress plans to bring up the election issues during the winter session of Parliament, set to begin post-November 26, and may pursue an impeachment motion against the chief election commissioner. Meanwhile, the opposition is closely watching a Supreme Court case involving the Election Commission. The court has issued notices to Kumar and indicated that certain contested election-related decisions could be stayed if not reached unanimously, although immediate action against Kumar has not yet been taken. Hearings in the case continue.