The INDIA Bloc is planning its next round of protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar in early November, after the upcoming rally at the Ramlila Ground on November 1. After a series of demonstrations in Central Delhi in the second week of October, the Opposition leaders have been discussing ideas for another round of protests.
“Various options are being considered at this stage. With the political success of our marches in the heart of Delhi, some leaders want a repetition of that massive mobilisation. Another idea is to hold a mock Parliament that will enact the impeachment of Gyanesh Kumar. Other steps have also been suggested,” CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby told HT.
According to a senior Congress leader, although there are no concrete plans, “things are being chalked out by the top leadership.” He recalled that both Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary KC Venugopal had said the protests would go on until Gyanesh Kumar steps down.
INDIA Bloc Leaders To Meet Virtually Today
INDIA Bloc leaders will meet via video conferencing this evening to discuss their next steps on the ongoing Gyanesh Kumar row, according to sources cited by ANI.
According to them, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will chair the meeting. The meeting is taking place against the backdrop of the Opposition’s ongoing campaign over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and its demand that the Election Commission of India (ECI) be held accountable.
Massive Marches By Opposition Parties: A Roundup
Opposition parties staged massive marches in central Delhi during the second week of October, drawing thousands of party workers, students and civil society activists. These protests, among the biggest seen against Kumar in recent times, sparked a fresh clash with the government.
On October 9, Opposition leaders met President Droupadi Murmu and demanded the “resignation of Kumar and repeal of the 2023 law that provides life-long immunity to the CEC and the ECs.” They also called for the “immediate suspension of the SIR and immediate restoration of all 13.3 crore voters illegally deleted from electoral rolls.”
In response, President Droupadi Murmu asked the Opposition to submit evidence to back its claims of vote-chori.
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On October 12, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi led the biggest march in recent times- to file a petition in the Supreme Court. Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders alleged in the petition that there was “unilateral and arbitrary exercise of the collective powers of the Election Commission of India by the Chief Election Commissioner during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.” They demanded a review of key decisions to protect the Constitutional guarantee of universal adult suffrage.
They also raised “the consequent concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process” and “the infringement of the constitutional right of eligible citizens to be registered as voters and to exercise their right to vote.” The Opposition petitioners have also stated that they are not seeking to reopen the question of the validity of the SIR itself.