Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Stage Sit-In Demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation

Opposition parties of the INDIA bloc marched from Parliament towards the Election Commission office on Tuesday but were stopped by Delhi Police near Akashvani Bhavan, about 100 metres from the Election Commission headquarters.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi then sat on the road in protest. Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and several other opposition MPs also joined him. A heated argument broke out between the protesters and the police. Slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were raised, including “Vote Chor.”

Police were deployed in large numbers from the Parliament complex to the Election Commission office from the morning. The opposition MPs began their march amid multiple layers of barricades and the deployment of police and paramilitary forces. They carried placards reading “Save Democracy.” However, police stopped the march as it approached the Election Commission office.

Officials said the march had not been granted permission and was therefore stopped.
Several protesters, including Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav, tried to cross the barricades and move forward. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also joined the march. Questioning the role of the Election Commission, he said the allegations were not new. He said the Commission was expected to ensure that there was no sign of bias in decisions related to elections.

‘Gyanesh, It’s Done Bro’ Slogan

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mr. Kharge and other opposition leaders began their protest while sitting on the other side of the barricade. Slogans repeatedly called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

The opposition has alleged irregularities in the voter-list revision process and questioned the neutrality of the Election Commission. The Election Commission, however, has rejected the opposition’s allegations.

The INDIA bloc had earlier said that its campaign would not end with the march in Delhi. It plans to continue raising the issue until the winter session of Parliament.

Abhishek Banerjee was also present at the INDIA bloc’s protest. He said, “The way SIR was conducted in Bengal and the protests that have started across the country over it make it clear how angry the people are. Until now, a large section of people in the country believed that if a government failed to work, it could be held accountable in the next election and made to realise its mistakes. That is where today’s anger comes from.”

The Trinamool Congress MP also questioned why the BJP was so confident. He said the BJP had no concern about whether unemployment was rising or whether the prices of gas, petrol, kerosene and vegetables were increasing. According to him, the BJP believed that Gyanesh Kumar was in the Election Commission and that it could return to power by “stealing votes.”

Taking a dig at Sambit Patra’s remarks, Abhishek said that if someone wanted to give Gyanesh Kumar the status of Lord Ganesha, that was their matter. However, he said they should remember that the BJP had lost in Ayodhya despite using Ram Mandir politics. He added that Lord Ganesha had now also been brought into that politics and claimed that the BJP would face defeat in Maharashtra as well.

Protest Plan Until November

According to the Congress’ announced programme, a “Save Votes, Save Country” campaign will be held at the block level from October 10 to 20. Cycle and motorcycle rallies, street meetings and leaflet distribution will also be organised.

From October 25 to November 25, the party plans to hold chaupals at the booth level.
A major rally will be held at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1. On November 25 and 26, six separate marches are planned from areas around Delhi, with protesters scheduled to gather in the capital on November 26, Constitution Day.

The Congress has also announced plans to bring an impeachment motion against Gyanesh Kumar during the winter session of Parliament. However, not all INDIA bloc partners took part in Tuesday’s programme. The Aam Aadmi Party and the DMK did not join the march. As the opposition’s campaign against Gyanesh Kumar intensifies, questions are also emerging about coordination within the alliance.

Source: The Wall