Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday vowed to continue the INDIA bloc’s protest against the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral
rolls, saying the Opposition would challenge the government’s decision to move protests away from Jantar Mantar.
Speaking after a high-tea meeting with INDIA bloc leaders at his residence, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said the alliance remained united and would not give up its campaign.
“We are all standing together as one. One method of expression was Jantar Mantar, but now the government has decided not to allow it. We will challenge this,” Gandhi said.
He also warned those he held responsible for the situation, saying, “PM Modi, they need to understand the net is closing around them.”
Gandhi said the Opposition would persevere in its campaign and stressed that it had the utmost respect for the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of India and the judiciary.
“We will not stop our fight and protest against the EC and SIR,” he said.
INDIA Bloc Vows To Reclaim Jantar Mantar
The INDIA bloc leaders also vowed to fight to restore Jantar Mantar as a protest site, criticising the decision to move demonstrations away from the location.
CPI general secretary D Raja said the meeting had discussed the prevailing situation in the country and ways to continue the campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
“Delhi is the national capital, it is our city, but barricades were put everywhere. Protests will take place, you cannot crush,” Raja said.
Condemning the removal of Jantar Mantar’s status as a protest site, he asked where people were expected to go to express dissent. “We will fight to regain Jantar Mantar as a place of protest,” he said, adding that people had the right to express their views.
Kharge Claims Strong Public Support
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed the INDIA bloc’s programmes over the past four days had received tremendous public support.
Addressing the joint press conference, Kharge said the initiatives led by Gandhi and other Opposition leaders had focused on people’s concerns.
He claimed that rarely had such large numbers of people gathered in Delhi and said young people and citizens from different walks of life had joined the programmes voluntarily.
Kharge said the Opposition was prepared to expose what he described as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plan of “vote theft”.
Tejashwi: Gyanesh Kumar Acted Like A Puppet
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of undermining democracy and alleged that the BJP, Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were involved in a conspiracy related to electoral irregularities.
“You are all aware of the manner in which Gyanesh Kumar Gupta has attempted to trample upon democracy,” Yadav said, adding that the Opposition was prepared to make any sacrifice to protect democracy and the Constitution.
He accused those in power of attempting to undermine constitutional institutions, including the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Income Tax Department. He alleged that the Election Commission’s actions had gone further and described Kumar as a “puppet”.
Yadav also claimed that shifting the protest venue away from Jantar Mantar reflected fear among those in power. He said the Opposition would remain united and continue its campaign, adding that those responsible for alleged vote theft and election rigging would have to answer to the public.
Opposition Leaders Reiterate Their Stand On CEC
NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule said the Opposition had come together because the Constitution was under threat. “We will ensure that every Indian gets their rights,” she said.
Samajwadi Party leader Harendra Malik said his party stood with the INDIA bloc and would fight until the end.
CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby said the struggle against Gyanesh Kumar would continue. TMC MP Sagarika Ghose said the alliance would not stop until action was taken against Kumar and officials allegedly involved in “vote chori”.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut called Kumar a “mafia” and alleged that the system had been criminalised. He also accused Modi and Shah of keeping the country under threat for the past 12 years, saying the movement would continue under Gandhi’s leadership.
AISA leader Neha Bora said the Opposition’s fight was against the BJP and claimed that the party had not played a role in framing the Constitution. She welcomed the unity among Opposition parties and accused the BJP of betraying the country.
The INDIA bloc leaders reiterated that their campaign against the Election Commission and the SIR would continue, alongside their demand to restore Jantar Mantar as a site for protests.
