Rahul Gandhi: People on One Side, Modi, Shah and Doval on the Other

India’s people are on one side, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval are on the other, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has said. He made the remarks at a press conference in Delhi on Monday (October 12), amid ongoing protests against the Election Commission.

Accusing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Rahul Gandhi said protests had been taking place in Delhi for several days over allegations of “vote theft” by the Election Commission. Opposition parties and various civil society organisations have been holding demonstrations over the issue.

Rahul Gandhi said efforts were also underway to take legal action against the chief election commissioner. The opposition has alleged that the Election Commission’s voter list revision process has resulted in the deletion of a large number of voters’ names, raising questions about the impartiality of the electoral process. The commission, however, has denied allegations of bias.

He accused the central government of trying to shield the chief election commissioner. Mr. Rahul claimed that the more the government tried to protect Gyanesh Kumar, the clearer it would become who was behind the process.
Meanwhile, opposition parties had planned to march towards the Supreme Court on Monday, accusing the Election Commission of “vote theft”. They intended to submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India, demanding an end to the voter list revision process and the resignation of the chief election commissioner.

Security was tightened in Delhi amid the ongoing protests against the Election Commission. Entry and exit at six metro stations in central Delhi were temporarily closed on Monday, while traffic restrictions were imposed on several roads.
Sources: Hindustan Times, Reuters