New Delhi: “A protest will be held on October 6 to surround the Election Commission, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner,” the INDIA alliance has announced. Complaints have emerged that there were differences of opinion among the Election Commissioners regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being carried out by the Election Commission across the country. In this context, opposition parties, including the Congress, have been repeatedly demanding that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign immediately.
At this time, a consultation meeting of the INDIA alliance parties was held in Delhi yesterday. The meeting, held at the Constitution Club in Delhi, was attended by Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Many alliance party leaders, including Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, West Bengal former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Bihar opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav, also took part in the meeting.
After this meeting, the leaders of the INDIA alliance parties met the press. At that time, Mallikarjun Kharge said: Through the SIR, around 13.3 crore people across the country have been removed from the voter list, and their democratic rights have been taken away. The SIR exercise must be withdrawn. There should be greater transparency in the voter lists.
There should be safeguards against the removal of eligible voters. Also, previous voter lists should be used for special voter registration in future elections. Before voters are removed, there should be prior notice, reasons, and an effective appeals process. As stated in Article 324 of the Constitution, a credible election cannot be held without an independent and impartial Election Commission.
Today our Chief Election Commissioner has been completely exposed. He must resign immediately. Our position on electronic voting machines must also be clear. These are machines that the BJP decides to use as it pleases. Therefore, to restore confidence in India’s electoral system, we must return to the ballot paper system.
‘Let us protect democracy’
In protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, protests will be held across the country on behalf of the INDIA alliance parties under the title “Save Democracy.” Accordingly, from October 2 to October 8, demonstrations will be held outside district collectorate offices across the country. On October 6, all opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission and stage a sit-in protest.
In the second week of October, we will seek time to meet the President. We will explain to him how the Election Commission is being taken over. Also, five major rallies will be held in the fourth phase of this campaign. The venues and dates for them will be finalized soon.
A massive rally will be held in Delhi on November 1. At it, people will be informed about the Election Commission’s ‘vote theft.’ We will also approach the Supreme Court to expedite the hearing of the pending cases related to SIR and other electoral irregularities. Kharge said this.
Sonia and Mamata’s affectionate bond drew attention
During the meeting of the India alliance parties, the affectionate moment between Sonia Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee drew a great deal of attention. When Mamata Banerjee was speaking at the press meet, Sonia Gandhi, seated next to her, smiled, nodded in support, and even tapped the table to encourage her.
When Mamata called on everyone to take part in the struggle to protect democracy, Sonia patted her on the back and praised her. The Congress party shared a video of this on X. Along with it, it was noted: “Fearless, determined leaders are not just those who stage protests; they also praise those who fight.”