New Delhi, October 31: The INDIA bloc is set to intensify its protest against the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Opposition alliance will hold a programme described as a ‘Public Impeachment’ against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday, followed by a ‘Chalo Delhi’ march and rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
The public impeachment programme was originally scheduled for Friday but was postponed by a day due to heavy rainfall in the national capital. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh announced the rescheduling through a post on social media.
According to reports, the programme is scheduled to take place at 10, Rajaji Marg, the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Senior Opposition leaders, civil society representatives and people who claim to have been affected by the SIR exercise are expected to participate.
Rahul Gandhi announces march route
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has said that the march on November 1 will begin at noon from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction. It will pass through Ajmeri Gate before culminating at Ramlila Maidan, where the INDIA bloc will hold a rally.
Gandhi has invited political parties, civil society members, journalists and citizens to join the march.
Opposition raises concerns over SIR
Congress leader Sachin Pilot said the Opposition had presented what he described as substantial data and documentary evidence concerning alleged irregularities during the tenure of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Pilot claimed that the deletion of around 13.3 crore names from electoral rolls posed a serious challenge to citizens’ fundamental right to vote.
All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora also extended support to the November 1 rally. She reiterated demands for the CEC’s resignation, a complete halt to the SIR exercise and withdrawal of the 2023 law.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke also announced support for the INDIA bloc’s rally.
BJP rejects Rahul Gandhi’s allegation; traffic restrictions planned
Meanwhile, the BJP rejected Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was trying to prevent people from reaching Delhi for the rally. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra asked Gandhi to provide evidence to support his claim.
Delhi is also preparing traffic restrictions and security arrangements ahead of the November 1 march and rally. Preparations are underway at Ramlila Maidan for the event.
The developments come amid an escalating political confrontation between the ruling party and the Opposition over the SIR exercise and concerns surrounding the transparency of electoral rolls.
