INDIA bloc MPs march against ECI, demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation

INDIA bloc MPs on Tuesday launched a protest march from Parliament towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters, carrying Tricolours and banners with messages such as “Save Democracy” and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Opposition leaders raised slogans targeting the CEC, BJP and RSS as they proceeded towards the poll panel’s office. The DMK and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), however, did not participate in the march.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were among the INDIA bloc leaders who took part in the protest. After the leaders were stopped from proceeding towards the ECI headquarters, they staged a dharna.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee and SP MP Dharmendra Yadav were also seen raising slogans during the march.

Congress MP Pawan Khera, who carried a “Save Democracy” banner, told IANS that the protest marked the beginning of a larger campaign.

“This is just the beginning. This issue will go a long way,” Khera said.

Congress leader Ragini Nayak told IANS that the Opposition’s protest was aimed at defending the electoral process.

“This is the time to save democracy and protect our democratic process from the assault on the Constitution of India and vote theft,” she said.

The protest comes amid growing Opposition criticism of the Election Commission and allegations relating to the conduct of the electoral process. The INDIA bloc has been demanding greater accountability from the poll panel, while the Opposition’s allegations have been contested by the authorities and the BJP.

Security was tightened in the area ahead of the march, with Delhi Police and other security personnel deployed along the route. Barricades were also placed outside the ECI headquarters as a precautionary measure.

Police officials said arrangements had been made to regulate the gathering, manage the crowd and prevent any untoward incident.

“The police's objective is to maintain peace and order during the protest and prevent any untoward incidents,” officials said.

Restrictions have also been imposed in and around Jantar Mantar under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which empowers authorities to place restrictions on certain gatherings and activities in specified circumstances.

The administration has appealed to the public to follow the prescribed restrictions and cooperate with the security arrangements as the political protest continues in the national capital.