New Delhi, Oct 12 :Leaders of the INDIA bloc on Monday began a protest march towards the Supreme Court amid heavy security and barricading by Delhi Police, demanding legal intervention to protect democratic and constitutional rights and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.
The opposition leaders accused the Election Commission of facilitating “vote theft” and questioned the integrity of the electoral process.
Congress MP Manish Tewari said the opposition intended to submit a representation to the Supreme Court on the issue.
“We want to submit a representation to the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Therefore, the entire Opposition is collectively going to Barakhamba Road. Let’s see where it goes from here,” he told reporters.
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said the protest was part of a broader campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which the opposition has alleged was being conducted improperly.
He said the campaign began after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised concerns over the exercise and presented what he described as evidence of irregularities.
Dikshit claimed the campaign had drawn the attention of students, organisations and political parties, adding that the agitation would continue.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi alleged that the BJP was apprehensive about losing power.
“The BJP is scared. They know that power will not remain with them for much longer,” he said.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh also demanded the CEC’s resignation, saying, “Vote theft; Gyanesh Kumar must resign.”
AAP's Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj said the protesters intended to proceed towards Jantar Mantar and would assess whether police allowed them to continue.
“We have the right to express our views,” he said.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav said his party had been opposing the SIR exercise and had launched a campaign against it in Bihar.
He accused the Election Commission of acting in favour of the BJP and alleged that the electoral process was being undermined.
“Democracy is being crushed. When democracy is continuously under attack and being undermined, how can we remain silent?” Yadav said.
Meanwhile, a bus carrying Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders departed from the Constitution Club of India as the protest march got underway.
The opposition leaders said they would pursue legal intervention over their concerns regarding the electoral process.
