Rahul Gandhi Leads INDIA Bloc March To EC, Sits On Dharna After Protest Is Stopped
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday led INDIA bloc MPs in a march from Parliament towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
The march was stopped before the opposition leaders could reach the Election Commission’s office. Following the halt, Rahul Gandhi and other opposition MPs staged a dharna at Parliament Street, intensifying their protest against the poll panel.
The demonstration is part of the Opposition’s broader campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Rahul Gandhi Leads Opposition March
Rahul Gandhi joined INDIA bloc MPs as they assembled at Makar Dwar of Parliament before beginning their march towards Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission headquarters.
The protesters carried placards bearing messages such as “Save Democracy” and “Save My Vote”, while raising slogans against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Gandhi has been at the forefront of the Opposition’s campaign against the Election Commission over the SIR exercise and has demanded accountability from the poll panel. During Tuesday’s protest, he again called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
March Stopped, Rahul Gandhi Sits On Dharna
The opposition MPs were stopped on their way to the Election Commission headquarters amid heavy security and multiple layers of barricading in central Delhi.
After the march was halted, Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders sat on a dharna at Parliament Street.
The protest comes amid heightened political tensions over the electoral-roll revision exercise and Opposition allegations concerning the functioning of the Election Commission.
SIR Row At Centre Of Protest
The INDIA bloc has been opposing the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, alleging that the exercise could affect eligible voters and questioning the manner in which electoral-roll procedures have been changed.
The Opposition has also raised questions about Form 6, which is used for applications seeking inclusion of names in electoral rolls.
The protest gained further momentum after the Supreme Court said it would examine the decisions concerning the form and determine whether any changes were made in accordance with the law.
AAP, DMK Skip INDIA Bloc March
The October 6 demonstration did not include two major INDIA bloc constituents — the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the DMK.
AAP had announced that it would stay away from the joint march while continuing its own campaign against alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.
Despite their absence, MPs from several Opposition parties joined Rahul Gandhi for the march towards the Election Commission.
Heavy Security In Central Delhi
Authorities deployed extensive security arrangements in central Delhi ahead of the protest. Police and central armed forces personnel were positioned along the route from Parliament towards the Election Commission, with barricades installed around sensitive areas.
The administration had also announced restrictions on gatherings in parts of the New Delhi district as the Opposition prepared for the march.
The INDIA bloc has said its campaign will continue as it seeks answers from the Election Commission over the electoral-roll revision process and maintains its demand for the CEC’s resignation.