New Delhi: Top leaders of the INDIA bloc are set to meet virtually on Thursday evening to work out their next course of action in the Opposition’s campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, even as they continue to press for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge will preside over the discussions, which are also expected to assess arrangements for the alliance’s proposed rally in the national capital on November 1.
Protest Plan On Agenda
The virtual meeting will focus on shaping the Opposition’s forthcoming agitation over its “vote chori” allegations and deciding how best to mount pressure on the government and the Election Commission, according to sources. Leaders will also deliberate on the political messaging and mobilisation strategy for the November 1 show of strength in Delhi, as reported by The New Indian Express.
The bloc has alleged that the Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was marked by serious irregularities, and has accused the poll panel of enabling manipulation of the electoral process. It has repeatedly sought Kumar’s resignation over the issue.
Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations
The campaign received fresh impetus after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on October 12, publicly asked Kumar to step down and “turn approver”. Gandhi alleged that forces larger than the CEC were involved in the purported malpractice and claimed that around 200 government officials had been sharing information with the Opposition.
On the same day, INDIA bloc leaders, activists and civil society members joined a “March for Democracy” in Delhi. Gandhi, Kharge and nine other Opposition figures subsequently moved the Supreme Court jointly, challenging the SIR process and alleging widespread deletion of voters and other irregularities.
Internal EC Differences
The Opposition’s call for Kumar’s exit strengthened after reports emerged that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally recorded disagreements on at least 14 occasions during the previous 10 months. Most of these objections reportedly related to decisions and directions connected with the SIR exercise.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that divergent views during internal deliberations are routine and does not amount to wrongdoing.
A day after the march and the Supreme Court petition, Gandhi hosted several INDIA bloc leaders for tea at his residence. Following the interaction, the alliance declared that it would persist with its agitation and pursue its campaign against alleged electoral misconduct to its “logical conclusion”.
Thursday’s meeting is likely to lay down the immediate roadmap for the movement in the run-up to the November 1 rally.
