തിരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പ് കമ്മീഷന്റെ പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങളിൽ അതൃപ്തി രേഖപ്പെടുത്തി ഇന്ത്യാ മുന്നണി നേതാക്കൾ രാഷ്ട്രപതി ദ്രൗപതി മുർമുവിനെ കണ്ടു. മുഖ്യ തിരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പ് കമ്മീഷണർ ജ്ഞാനേഷ് കുമാറിന്റെ രാജി, വോട്ടർ പട്ടികയിലെ ക്രമക്കേടുകൾ പരിഹരിക്കുക തുടങ്ങിയ ആവശ്യങ്ങൾ ഉന്നയിച്ചാണ് പാർലമെന്റിൽ നിന്ന് രാഷ്ട്രപതി ഭവനിലേക്ക് പ്രതിപക്ഷം മാർച്ച് നടത്തിയത്.
'No one can stop the youth': Chirag Paswan on train cancellations ahead of CJP protest
Opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc on Friday marched from Parliament towards Rashtrapati Bhavan to submit a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, raising concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Opposition's three-point charter of demands also calls for the scrapping of the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the restoration of around 13 crore voters allegedly excluded from the draft lists.
Led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the MPs and party leaders marched towards Rashtrapati Bhavan carrying placards and raising slogans alleging 'vote chori' and collusion between the Election Commission and the BJP-led government. While a delegation of senior leaders went in to meet the President, other protesters staged a sit-in along Kartavya Path, holding placards reading, "Gyanesh, it's done bro!"
The march followed a meeting of around 150 MPs and other INDIA bloc leaders in Parliament's Central Hall. According to the Opposition, representatives of 16 parties signed the memorandum seeking the President's intervention over what they described as irregularities in the electoral process and concerns about the poll body's functioning.
Speaking to reporters before the march, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Kumar Jha alleged that the Election Commission had failed to address concerns over electoral integrity.
"The demand is the same as that of the entire country: to dismantle the entire structure of dishonesty, and Gyanesh Kumar is standing like a shield," Jha said.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said people across political lines were working to strengthen democracy.
"All patriots are engaged in strengthening the country's democracy, regardless of whether they are members of any political party or not... I salute all the patriots who have come to the streets," he said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also accused the government of acting out of fear, referring to the closure of metro stations and the cancellation of train services ahead of a planned protest at Jantar Mantar.
"They are afraid. A person who is afraid will die tomorrow, if not today," Kharge said.
He alleged that decisions taken by Gyanesh Kumar had created an atmosphere of fear and put democracy at risk.
"The mistakes committed by Gyanesh Kumar have created a situation of fear in the country and put democracy in danger. That is why we are going to meet the President and apprise her of the things he has done," he said.
Kharge further claimed that other Election Commissioners had raised concerns about the alleged irregularities and written letters 10-15 times, but no corrective action had followed.
"Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns over 'vote chori' and irregularities in EVMs. We have been raising these issues for a long time, not just today. We are doing this for the betterment of the nation," he added.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the Opposition would announce its next course of action after discussions, adding that the agitation would continue.
"Whatever course of action we decide on, we will let you know. As we said yesterday, we will continue the agitation. We will continue with our decision until the day after tomorrow," Venugopal said.
The BJP rejected the Opposition's allegations, accusing the Congress-led alliance of questioning institutions because of its electoral setbacks.
BJP president JP Nadda pointed to the latest bypoll results, announced earlier on Friday, as evidence of public support for the ruling alliance.
"NDA's greatest strength lies in the people's trust and confidence! The Lok Sabha result in Nagaon and Assembly results in Nandigram, Rejinagar and Thattanchavady reaffirm the people's faith in [PM Modi's] leadership, vision and policies and the BJP-NDA's agenda of good governance and public welfare," Nadda wrote on X.
He added, "The INDI Alliance's repeated electoral defeats reflect its declining public trust. Questioning institutions instead of introspecting only exposes its political desperation."
The Opposition's march came ahead of a protest called by the youth movement Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10. The group had earlier led student protests over paper leaks, which reportedly contributed to the Education Minister's resignation in July.
Authorities have deployed thousands of police personnel and restricted internet access within a four-kilometre radius of Jantar Mantar for 24 hours from 10 pm on Friday, according to the information provided.
The INDIA bloc has indicated that its campaign over alleged electoral irregularities will continue, with further decisions expected after consultations among its leaders.
(With agencies' input)
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