The opposition is preparing to continue its fight against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from streets to court. Amidst the ongoing protests regarding the process of changing the voter list i.e. Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the opposition alliance INDIA is making a strategy to make it a joint campaign.
India Alliance’s protest against Sir: Opposition parties have started preparations to intensify their protest regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list and the role of the Election Commission. In the meeting held at the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, leaders of INDIA alliance, student organizations and representatives of civil society discussed the further strategy of the movement. In the meeting, suggestions came forward to organize a joint demonstration at Jantar Mantar, rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi in the first week of November and organize a mock parliament before that.
The opposition wants to keep the issues related to changes in the voter list and accountability of the Election Commission in the national debate by continuing the mass movement along with the legal process.
Preparation to continue the struggle from street to court
Opposition parties say that questions related to the changes being made in the voter list and alleged irregularities during SIR should be raised at the appropriate forum. For this purpose, INDIA Alliance is preparing the outline of a joint movement. Apart from leaders of various opposition parties, representatives of student organizations and civil society also participated in the meeting held at Rahul Gandhi’s residence. The main topic of discussion was to convert the protests of different organizations into a common campaign, so that the movement could get widespread support.
The opposition’s strategy emphasized both legal challenges through the courts and political pressure through public demonstrations. However, formal announcements regarding the final dates and detailed planning of the proposed programs are still awaited.
Rahul Gandhi asked to assemble on 24 hours notice
During the meeting, Rahul Gandhi appealed to leaders and organizations to be ready to unite at 24 hours’ notice if needed. Its objective was said to be to create better coordination between different parts of the movement and to provide quick response in times of need. The opposition parties also want to raise issues related to the SIR as well as the functioning and accountability of the Election Commission. He believes that the process of amending the voter list should be transparent and the voting rights of eligible citizens should be protected.
The opportunity and availability of demonstration at Jantar Mantar was also discussed in the meeting. Opposition leaders stressed the need to form a common front linking the issue to the right to peaceful protests. According to the leaders attending the meeting, efforts are being made to bring together various political and social organizations to give a comprehensive form to the movement.
Proposal for rally at Ramlila Maidan in November
INDIA alliance meeting suggested organizing a big rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi in the first week of November. The purpose of the proposed rally is to demonstrate the unity of the opposition on issues related to SIR and the Election Commission. The idea of organizing a mock parliament before the rally also came up. Through this, a plan was suggested to discuss topics like changes in the voter list, electoral process and the role of the Chief Election Commissioner.
The idea of taking symbolic action like impeachment against the Chief Election Commissioner has also been mooted in the mock parliament. However, this is a suggestion at this time. It should not be seen as a final program or as a formal parliamentary process. In the meeting, it was also considered to include in the proposed rally the people who claimed that their names were removed from the voter list during SIR. Opposition parties believe that by voicing the voices of affected citizens, public discussion on the issue can be broadened.
Leaders including Tejashwi Yadav and D. Raja expressed concern
In the meeting, various leaders including Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and Communist Party of India General Secretary D. Raja discussed the strategy of the movement. CPI (ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya talked about continuing the struggle demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghosh and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut also supported continuing the agitation. The opposition parties are trying to give a common platform at the national level to the issues being raised in different states.