New Delhi: The Opposition continued its protest in Delhi for the third consecutive day on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and MPs of the Opposition INDIA bloc first gathered for lunch at the Connaught Place in the national capital before travelling by buses to Rajghat.
Heavy security arrangements were put in place in view of the protest.
The opposition leaders had to wait for nearly an hour before being allowed inside Rajghat, where they paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.
Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had said that the leaders would pray to Mahatma Gandhi for wisdom for the Union government and urge it not to take away people’s right to vote.
While Wednesday’s destination was Jantar Mantar, the leaders headed to Rajghat on Thursday.
Earlier, the Opposition had also taken out a march from Parliament to the Election Commission.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said the protest would continue until their demand for the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation was met.
Even as Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a sit-in at Rajghat, it drew a sharp counterattack from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Opposition of attempting to pressure constitutional institutions.
The Rajghat protest marked the third consecutive day of demonstrations by opposition parties in the national capital.
The INDIA bloc has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the electoral process and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected the allegations.
CPI-M MP John Brittas said the Opposition’s agitation would continue until CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the country was united in seeking the CEC’s resignation and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond to the concerns being raised by the Opposition.
The INDIA bloc has also sought a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu amid the ongoing standoff.
Congress sources said the Opposition was yet to receive a response from Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal said the INDIA bloc had first sought an appointment on October 2 and subsequently submitted the names of participating leaders.
The leaders had sought a meeting on October 7, 8 or 9.
The Opposition is considering further options as it seeks to maintain pressure on the Union government and the poll panel.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also arrived in Delhi as opposition parties prepared to intensify their mobilisation.
The BJP, however, questioned the rationale behind the protests.
Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar said that the SIR issue is already before the Supreme Court and accused the Opposition of attempting to create an atmosphere of “anarchy”.
He said people had lost faith in the Opposition.
BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also criticised Rahul Gandhi’s street protests ahead of the Supreme Court hearing, alleging that the Congress was seeking to pressure constitutional institutions and undermine the credibility of the judiciary through demonstrations.
The political exchange also drew criticism from Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who contrasted the Congress-led protests with Mahatma Gandhi’s movements.
Maurya said Gandhi’s campaigns always maintained dignity and avoided confrontation, while alleging that recent protests involving Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had witnessed scuffles and a disregard for decorum.
(IANS)
