Anti-CEC Protests Updates: INDIA bloc MPs on Friday gathered at the Central Hall of Parliament ahead of their planned meeting with President Draupadi Murmu to submit a memorandum demanding Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The meeting was attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee, CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and several other opposition MPs. After the meeting, they headed to call on the President. The delegation of 10 PMs met the President and after the meeting they said it was a positive meet as Murmu sought evidence over their allegations.
Here Are The Key Updates:
- Rahul Gandhi said the entire country knows that votes are being stolen. "Narendra Modi is the architect of this; Amit Shah and Gyanesh Kumar are its implementers. The President of India did not deny this fact today. She sought evidence and we will submit."
- Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, "We have submitted a memorandum. We have seen from a positive outlook that she said she will investigate; she will go through the details, and she needs evidence. She has asked us to send, which we said we will. She is very positive, and she responded that she will investigate..."
- After the meeting, Congress Chief and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the media, saying the delegation has submitted a memorandum, on which the President sought evidence on their allegations. "Leaders from our alliance parties met the President and submitted a memorandum. We went specifically to apprise the President of the agitation we launched four days ago regarding the theft of votes, and we presented our case fully. We highlighted the issue of vote theft and the grave error committed by Gyanesh Kumar. We demanded that EVMs be set aside and elections be conducted using ballot papers. Furthermore, she asked for evidence regarding the instances of vote theft; we are currently compiling this evidence and will submit it. We will provide all other relevant information as well. Above all, we addressed the fact that PM Modi and Amit Shah are intent on destroying the country's democracy and are actively taking steps in that direction. She listened attentively and stated that she would investigate the matter thoroughly, consult the concerned parties, and determine the appropriate course of action," he added.
- Opposition leaders left from Rashtrapati Bhavan after meeting President Droupadi Murmu. The leaders met the President to raise their concerns regarding the functioning of the Election Commission of India and to demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
- TMC MP Derek O'Brien after the Central Hall meeting said a memorandum was circulated among all the parties in the meeting. "The final memorandum was ready at around 7:30, and everyone had agreed to it. It is a two-page memorandum. We needed the signatures of Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, MA Baby, Omar Abdullah, and others. Since we had taken a printout, we needed their signatures. There were 10 names listed, and I had the memorandum with me," he said.
- INDIA bloc MPs held a protest at Vijay Chowk against CEC Gyanesh Kumar as 10 Opposition MPs headed to meet President Murmu.
- Former West Bengal CM and TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee has also joined the INDIA Bloc MPs in their protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Mamata is on her way to meet President Murmu to submit a memorandum, demanding the CEC's resignation.
- Opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, MA Baby and several other leaders are on their way to meet President Draupadi Murmu.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc, saying they are spreading lies to mislead people. He said, "Despite the lies, confusion, and malicious propaganda of Rahul Gandhi and the INDI Alliance, the BJP is winning one election after another under the leadership of PM Modi. The victories of the NDA in the by-elections of West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry, as well as the recent municipal elections in Rajasthan and Tripura, indicate that the people have completely rejected the INDI Alliance. Having lost their public base, these parties question institutions after every defeat, but the people have recognised this character of theirs. That is why, once again, they have expressed their unwavering faith in the BJP by giving it a resounding mandate."
- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah arrived at the Parliament to attend the meeting.
- Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the gathering at the historic Central Hall, said, "Jawaharlal Nehru gave a very famous speech. It was given from the Central Hall of Parliament on 14 August 1947. I want to quote a little bit from it. It is a fateful moment for us in India, for all Asia and for the world. A new star rises, the star of freedom in the East, a new hope comes into being, a vision long cherished materializes. May the star never set and that hope never be betrayed."
The MPs have been protesting in the national capital demanding Kumar's resignation for the last three days. Opposition leaders had sent a request on October 2 for an appointment with the President.
Subsequently, the Rashtrapati Bhavan asked for the names of leaders who would attend the meeting. Last week, the INDIA bloc finalised a joint action plan on the SIR row, including holding rallies and "save democracy" marches.
Intensifying their protest, the INDIA bloc leaders on Thursday staged a sit-in at Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi's memorial, to highlight what they alleged was "hijacking" of the country by the CEC through a criminal conspiracy of "vote chori."
The opposition's aggressive push comes days after a report by The Indian Express said election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected on record at least 14 times over the last 10 months, mostly to decisions and orders related to the SIR. Under fire, the Election Commission asserted that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations in any institution and that all its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.