HighLights
  1. INDIA bloc MPs gathered at Parliament Central Hall.
  2. Oppn MPs meet President Droupadi Murmu.
  3. Raising concerns about Election Commission's functioning.

Anti-CEC Protests Updates: A delegation of 10 MPs of INDIA bloc on Friday met President Draupadi Murmu and submitted a memorandum demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The meeting was attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby, and other opposition MPs. The meeting came after a gathering of Opposition leaders at the Central Hall of Parliament.  

INDIA Bloc Hands Over Memorandum on 'Vote Chori' To President

The delegation handed over a memorandum to her on alleged "vote chori" with Gandhi saying he was shocked that the President did not deny the 'election theft' charge. President Murmu sought proof of 'vote chori' from the leaders and the INDIA bloc will hand over the evidence it has to her when she is ready to accept it, Gandhi told reporters.

ALSO READ: Delhi: Mobile Internet Services Suspended In New Delhi Area Till Tomorrow Ahead Of CJP Protest At Jantar Mantar

Will Submit Memorandum To The CJI: Rahul Gandhi

After the meeting with the President, Gandhi said the Opposition will also submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India on Monday.

"First of all, all the opposition MPs of India went to meet the Chief Election Commissioner. There, we were detained, beaten, and pushed. Then we were locked in buses and taken to the police station. They told us that we cannot protest here. After that, we went to Jantar Mantar, which is the protest site, but we were stopped there as well. Now we have come to the President. On Monday, we will go to the Supreme Court to submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India," the Congress MP said while speaking to reporters.

Gandhi said the entire country knows that votes are being stolen. "Narendra Modi is the architect of this; Amit Shah and Gyanesh Kumar are its implementers. The President of India did not deny this fact today. She sought evidence and we will submit."

She Is Very Positive: Mamata After Meeting With President

Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, "We have submitted a memorandum. We have seen from a positive outlook that she said she will investigate; she will go through the details, and she needs evidence. She has asked us to send, which we said we will. She is very positive, and she responded that she will investigate..."

 

President Sought Evidence On Allegations: Kharge

After the meeting, Congress Chief and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the media, saying the delegation has submitted a memorandum, on which the President sought evidence on their allegations.

"Leaders from our alliance parties met the President and submitted a memorandum. We went specifically to apprise the President of the agitation we launched four days ago regarding the theft of votes, and we presented our case fully. We highlighted the issue of vote theft and the grave error committed by Gyanesh Kumar. We demanded that EVMs be set aside and elections be conducted using ballot papers. Furthermore, she asked for evidence regarding the instances of vote theft; we are currently compiling this evidence and will submit it. We will provide all other relevant information as well. Above all, we addressed the fact that PM Modi and Amit Shah are intent on destroying the country's democracy and are actively taking steps in that direction. She listened attentively and stated that she would investigate the matter thoroughly, consult the concerned parties, and determine the appropriate course of action," he added.

TMC MP Derek O'Brien after the Central Hall meeting said a memorandum was circulated among all the parties in the meeting. "The final memorandum was ready at around 7:30, and everyone had agreed to it. It is a two-page memorandum. We needed the signatures of Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, MA Baby, Omar Abdullah, and others. Since we had taken a printout, we needed their signatures. There were 10 names listed, and I had the memorandum with me," he said.

INDIA bloc MPs held a protest at Vijay Chowk against CEC Gyanesh Kumar as 10 Opposition MPs headed to meet President Murmu.

ALSO READ: CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Removal Could Be CJP's Toughest Battle Yet; Complex Impeachment Process Explained

The INDIA Bloc MPs have been protesting in the national capital demanding Kumar's resignation for the last three days. Opposition leaders had sent a request on October 2 for an appointment with the President.

Subsequently, the Rashtrapati Bhavan asked for the names of leaders who would attend the meeting. Last week, the INDIA bloc finalised a joint action plan on the SIR row, including holding rallies and "save democracy" marches.

Intensifying their protest, the INDIA bloc leaders on Thursday staged a sit-in at Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi's memorial, to highlight what they alleged was "hijacking" of the country by the CEC through a criminal conspiracy of "vote chori."

The opposition's aggressive push comes days after a report by The Indian Express said election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected on record at least 14 times over the last 10 months, mostly to decisions and orders related to the SIR. Under fire, the Election Commission asserted that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations in any institution and that all its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.

(With Agencies Inputs)


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