New Delhi: The INDIA bloc has intensified its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with opposition parties now seeking an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu to raise their concerns over the Election Commission and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The move comes a day after INDIA bloc MPs marched towards the Election Commission headquarters in New Delhi, demanding answers from the poll panel and calling for Kumar's resignation. The protest later turned into a prolonged sit-in, with Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition leaders detained by Delhi Police.
INDIA Bloc To Meet President Murmu
Opposition parties are now seeking President Murmu's appointment to present their concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR exercise.
According to reports, opposition MPs are expected to sign a letter requesting an appointment with the President. The move is part of the INDIA bloc's wider “Save Democracy” campaign, under which opposition parties have planned a series of protests and political outreach programs.
The bloc had earlier announced plans to approach the President after its October 6 march to the Election Commission.
What Happened During Tuesday's Protest?
INDIA bloc MPs led by Rahul Gandhi marched from Parliament towards Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission headquarters, demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The protesters were stopped by heavy police barricades near Akashvani Bhavan. Rahul Gandhi and several opposition leaders subsequently staged a sit-in that continued for several hours. The leaders were later detained by police.
Among those who participated in the protest were Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, TMC's Abhishek Banerjee, NCP (SP)'s Supriya Sule, RJD's Manoj Kumar Jha and CPM's John Brittas.
Why Is INDIA Bloc Targeting CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
The opposition's campaign is centered on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. INDIA bloc parties have accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the voter-list revision process and have demanded that the exercise be scrapped.
The bloc is also demanding the restoration of deleted names in electoral rolls and the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The Election Commission, however, has rejected the opposition's allegations and defended its procedures.
Election Commission Responds To Memorandum Row
The political confrontation also intensified after the Election Commission issued a clarification regarding the opposition's proposed meeting.
The poll panel said no political party had formally sought an appointment through its authorized representatives before 4 pm on Tuesday. It said Delhi Police later informed the Commission that a delegation of around 240 MPs, led by Rahul Gandhi, wanted to meet the poll panel and submit a memorandum at the Parliament House Annexe.
The ECI described the proposed arrangement as unusual under its established protocol and said it offered to send its senior-most serving officer to receive the memorandum. The offer was reportedly declined by the MPs.
Opposition campaign to continue
The INDIA bloc's move to approach President Murmu signals that the confrontation over SIR and the Election Commission is set to continue beyond the October 6 street protest.
With opposition parties now seeking the President's intervention and continuing to demand action against the CEC, the SIR controversy is emerging as a major political flashpoint ahead of upcoming electoral battles.