New Delhi: A 10-member delegation of the Opposition INDI bloc is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu at 8 pm on Friday amid the escalating row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The prominent leaders likely to be part of the delegation include Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, as reported by News18.
The meeting comes even as Opposition MPs continue their protests in the national capital for the third consecutive day, demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
The demonstrations have also spread beyond Delhi. Tejashwi Yadav led a parallel protest in Patna, while Mamata Banerjee said she would join the INDI bloc’s demonstrations in Delhi.
The Delhi Police, meanwhile, has registered three FIRs following Wednesday’s intense demonstrations, with officials indicating that more cases could be filed. The cases relate to alleged assault on police personnel, obstruction of government work, pushing and manhandling, and misbehaviour with the police. Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are named in the FIRs.
Rahul was detained on Wednesday and taken to Barakhamba Road Police Station after he was seen attempting to open a barricaded gate.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has deployed “additional reserve” personnel to strengthen the ‘Z+’ category security cover for the CEC, officials said.
Delhi will also go dry for two days with the government directing all retail liquor shops to remain closed on October 9 and 10 “as a preventive measure aimed at maintaining public order,” citing inputs from Delhi Police and planned protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against Kumar.
The Delhi Police has rejected an application seeking permission for a demonstration planned for October 10 over the accountability of the CEC. Officials cited the short notice, previous non-compliance and prevailing law-and-order concerns.
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remains in force across the New Delhi district, prohibiting unlawful assemblies or protests, the police has said.
Nupur Prasad, joint commissioner of police told ANi that the application did not meet the requirement of giving at least 10 days’ prior notice under established police guidelines.
“An application was submitted in the New Delhi district giving intimation that they intend to hold a demonstration-a protest-on October 10 regarding the accountability of the CEC. This intimation was examined and considered, and it was found that, first of all, it was received at very short notice. As per our laid-down guidelines, we require this at least 10 days before the dharna/protest, which was not the case here,” she said.