Opposition leaders demanded CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation on Tuesday before the INDIA bloc march to the Election Commission. While MPs questioned the heavy security deployment, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused the Congress of trying to create anarchy. Sanjay Raut said, "We are unarmed," as the protest over election processes intensified.
Opposition leaders demanded CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation PTI
Opposition leaders demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation on Tuesday ahead of the INDIA bloc's march to the Election Commission headquarters in Delhi. The BJP hit back, accusing Congress of trying to create disorder.
MPs were due to assemble at Parliament's Makar Dwar before heading to Nirvachan Sadan. Security personnel, including the Rapid Action Force, were deployed around Transport Bhawan. Police warned that traffic in parts of central Delhi could be affected.
Congress MP Imran Masood accused Kumar of damaging public trust in the Election Commission.
"One person has broken that trust. And an entire nexus is working together. We will question Gyanesh Kumar, and the BJP chief ministers will start giving the answers," he said in a statement to PTI news agency.
BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra rejected the Opposition's campaign.
"We believe that the Congress party is still trying to create anarchy and an atmosphere of disorder in the country by using the Election Commission," he said.
'Why deploy such a large force?'
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut questioned the security arrangements for the march.
"We are MPs. We are members of Parliament. We are also citizens of this country. Why is there a need to deploy such a large force to stop us? We will walk and go. We are unarmed," he was quoted as saying by PTI.
Raut alleged that thousands of security personnel had been deployed and security outside ministers' homes increased. These were his claims about the scale of the deployment.
CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar cited Monday's Supreme Court hearing to press the demand for the CEC's resignation.
"On September 26, there was a press statement by the Commission and it was stated that the entire process related to Form 6 has been ratified by the Supreme Court. Whereas it has been proven that it is an entirely misleading statement," he said.
"So this will intensify our movement," he added.
Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee also demanded Kumar's resignation as he arrived in Delhi.
Congress MP Dharamveer Gandhi alleged that the electoral-roll revision had deprived people of their voting rights.
"We are going to fight to restore democracy, preserve the dignity of democratic institutions," he said.
BJP says court process must run its course
Patra said the court's notice meant the parties would have an opportunity to present their arguments.
"A notice was issued yesterday, which is a process under which both sides will present their arguments and the matter will be heard," he said.
"The main issue being raised since yesterday is that the Chief Election Commissioner has made modifications or changes to Form 6, which are illegal, and therefore a campaign is being run against the Chief Election Commissioner to remove him."
BJP leader Mrityunjay Tiwari accused the Opposition of blaming institutions for its electoral defeats.
"They will not win the people's trust and confidence and will only blame the Election Commission and EVMs for their defeat and indulge in theatrics," he said.