Congress Intensifies Protests Against CEC: Dharnas in Hyderabad, Delhi and Patna

Calling it a black day, the Congress party organized protests in Hyderabad, Delhi, and Bihar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

In Hyderabad, Congress workers led by Minister D Sridhar Babu marched towards Lok Bhavan but were stopped by police about 200 metres from the Lok Bhavan. The Congress activists turned to jump over the barricades and move towards the Lok Bhavan but were detained by the police. Some managed to cross the barricades and tried to reach Lok Bhavan but they too were detained by the police.

In Delhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is hosting lunch for Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha MPs. After the lunch, they would go towards Rajghat in buses. It remains to be seen if the police will allow them to go to Rajghat or stop them en route, because there is every possibility that they may resort to a flash dharna at Rajghat. The opposition members also propose to meet the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. However, they are still waiting for her appointment.

In Patna, the INDIA bloc leaders and workers staged a protest march on Thursday against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The police detained the Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, RJD Lok Sabha member Misa Bharti, and VIP chief Mukesh Sahani. Police had erected barricades at several locations to prevent the protesters from advancing towards Lok Bhawan and there was a scuffle between the two sides before the were detained.

Tejaswi climbed onto a barricade and attempted to move ahead, leading to a scuffle between him and police personnel. The delegation was later taken to Lok Bhavan to submit a memorandum to the Governor.