- INDIA bloc protests CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
- Supreme Court march planned despite CJI denial.
- Delhi faces metro closures, traffic disruptions.
Congress-led INDIA bloc is set to hold a march to the Supreme Court on Monday to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The latest protest march marks a return of the united opposition to the streets after two days.
Earlier on Friday, the INDIA bloc leaders held a march to Parliament and later met President Droupadi Murmu. The Opposition delegation, including Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee, among others, submitted a memorandum to the President during nearly an hour-long meeting.
The Monday plan of the Opposition was to march to the Supreme Court and meet Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and hand over a memorandum. However, the CJI denied the meeting, saying that similar matters are sub judice in the court.
After the rejection, Congress asserted that its protest march would, nonetheless, continue. Speaking to news agency ANI, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that the opposition respected the CJI's decision but remained committed to holding the march. He also urged people to join them in the march.
"This is not only an agitation, but it has become a movement. This movement is to protect the democratic values and principles of this country. The Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, has given a general call to everybody to protect the democracy of our country. People of India will come and join tomorrow," he said.
In view of the security concerns, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced the closure of the entries and exits at six stations - Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Barakhamba Road, Mandi House and Janpath in central Delhi. The entries and exits will be closed from 6 AM to 4 PM.
The Delhi Traffic Police have also issued an advisory, announcing that traffic movement is likely to be affected on certain stretches. As per the advisory, the restrictions and diversions will be imposed as per prevailing situations:
Major junctions and stretches likely to see restrictions:
- Round About Panchkuian
- Round About Mandi House
- Dr Dinesh Nandini Dalmia Chowk (W-Point)
- Ram Charan Aggarwal Chowk (A-Point)
- Minto Road / Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg
- Guru Nanak Chowk
- Chemsford Road - Outer Circle, Connaught Place T-Point
- Bharion Road - MGM (Ring Road) T-Point
- Lodhi Road Flyover
- Round About Neela Gumbad
- Sardar Patel Marg - Panchsheel Marg Crossing
- Under Bhikaji Cama Place
- Under Moti Bagh Flyover
- Ring Road - San Martin Marg T-Point
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- Round About Ashoka Road Jantar Mantar Road
- Round About Rail Bhawan
- Jai Singh Road - Sansad Marg Crossing
- Outer Circle, Connaught Place - Barakhamba Road T-Point
- Round About Patel Chowk
- Jai Singh Road - Ashoka Road T-Point
- Round About RML Hospital
- Outer Circle, Connaught Place - Sansad Marg T-Point