New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday escalated the Opposition’s offensive against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, announcing that the INDIA bloc would approach the Supreme Court at 3 pm over alleged “vote chori” and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Congress leader also made a sensational claim that 200 government officers were feeding information to the Opposition.
Addressing a press conference at Indira Bhawan, Gandhi said the protest march to the Supreme Court would begin from Barakhamba Junction at 1:30 pm and invited citizens to join the mobilisation.
Fight For Constitution
Gandhi sought to widen the protest beyond party lines, saying the movement was aimed at protecting the Constitution rather than targeting any individual leader.
“This is the fight for your future, be a part of this. If you cannot come directly for whatever reason… express solidarity with us however you can at 3 pm, when we file petition in Supreme Court [against Gyanesh Kumar],” he said.
He added that the march would begin from Barakhamba Junction at 1:30 pm and that anyone wishing to “save Constitution” should participate. “If people belonging to BJP think Constitution is under attack, join us… it does not matter to us,” Gandhi said.
‘Officers Passing Information’
In a direct challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed that officers within the government were covertly supporting the Opposition, as reported by Hindustan Times.
“I want to tell PM Modi, 200 officers from within your govt in touch with us; they are passing on information to us,” Gandhi claimed.
He further alleged that a large section of security personnel backed the Opposition’s campaign.
“Exactly 50 per cent of the police personnel are telling us that what we are doing is right and we should continue. Police, ITBP, CRPF, the people of India are on one side and Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Ajit Doval, Gyanesh Kumar, and 4-5 members of the Election Commission who are facilitating ‘vote chori’ and hijacking the country are on the other side. We are increasing this divide…” he said.
Delhi On Edge
The INDIA bloc has called the march from Connaught Place to the Supreme Court to press for Kumar’s resignation and protest alleged irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls.
The mobilisation comes amid heightened security in the capital following two days of detentions linked to the planned Jantar Mantar protest by Abhijeet Dipke-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Police have barricaded roads leading to Jantar Mantar and deployed personnel at key intersections.
The Delhi Traffic Police, in an advisory issued late on Sunday, warned of diversions and restrictions across New Delhi and central Delhi from 6 am, depending on the situation on the ground.