Rahul Gandhi Says Over 300 Opposition MPs Marched To EC, Questions Police Action
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said more than 300 Opposition MPs marched from Parliament to the Election Commission on Tuesday to meet the Election Commissioners.
In a post on X, Gandhi questioned why the Election Commissioners were not meeting the Opposition leaders and alleged that police were stopping and threatening them.
IYC, NSUI Workers Detained Outside Akashvani Bhavan
Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) workers gathered outside Akashvani Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Several protesters were detained by police as security was tightened in the area. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remain in force in parts of central Delhi amid the demonstrations.
Police Ask IYC, NSUI Workers To Vacate Akashvani Bhavan Area, Warn Of Detention
A police official asked Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) workers gathered outside Akashvani Bhavan to vacate the area, saying prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are in force. The official said any assembly in the area is illegal and warned that those who do not comply will be detained.
INDIA Bloc Protest LIVE: Pralhad Joshi Calls Congress’ SIR Allegations ‘Bogus’
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday dismissed the Karnataka Congress' allegations against the BJP over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as “bogus”, defending the process for filing Form 7 objections.
“It's all bogus because they are filing the FIR despite they do not have any power to register the FIR because anybody can give Form 7. Ultimately it is up to the election commission, ERO, who is the state government employee. He can decide it. But with revenge attitude they are all doing this. We strongly condemn that and there is a hope, there is a court and we have confidence that will be quashed. I am very confident on that,” Joshi said.
BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi Questions Congress Over ‘Absent, Shifted, Dead’ Voters
BJP national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi questioned the Congress over the INDIA bloc's protest march to the Election Commission, asking who the party wanted to benefit by giving voting rights to “absent, shifted, dead and duplicate voters” without investigation, according to ANI.
“I would like to clearly ask Congress. Who do they want to benefit by giving voting rights to the absent, shifted, dead and duplicate voters without any investigation? Does the Congress want to benefit someone by doing this?” Trivedi said.
BJP MP Jagadish Shettar defended the SIR exercise and accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of spreading “propaganda”.
INDIA bloc protest LIVE: ‘Voters Are Being Looted,’ Says SP MP | Watch
CEC row LIVE: During INDIA bloc protest against CEC, Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq says, “ Votes are being looted, democracy is being killed; we demand the resignation of CEC. The country should get justice. Today, we have marched from Parliament, but this could take the shape of a movement, and the whole country will come out on the roads,” reported ANI.
INDIA bloc protest LIVE: What Happens If The CEC Resigns?
The legal route is clear. Under Section 11(1) of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the CEC submits their resignation in writing directly to the President of India.
There is no automatic deputy CEC or automatic acting CEC under the Constitution or the 2023 law, unlike the offices of President or Governors.
INDIA bloc protest LIVE: What Is Form 6?
Form 6 is the prescribed application through which an eligible Indian citizen seeks inclusion in the electoral roll as a new voter. It is available to citizens who have attained, or will attain, 18 years of age on one of the four qualifying dates — January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1 — provided they are ordinarily resident in the constituency and are not otherwise disqualified.
The form seeks details such as the applicant’s name, date of birth, address and other information required for voter enrolment. It is prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
INDIA bloc protest LIVE: Leaders Remain Seated After Being Breifly Detained
Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra remained seated near the Akashvani Bhavan after being briefly detained during the INDIA bloc MPs’ march from Parliament to the Election Commission.
The Congress leaders along with other MPs were earlier stopped by security personnel on Parliament Street near Niti Aayog office. After being prevented from proceeding further, they sat on the road in protest. Soon Rahul Gandhi and TMC's Abhisekh Banerjee climbed atop a police barricade, while Priyanka Gandhi was taken to an awaiting bus for being detained.
However, she was soon seen alighting from it and joined her brother at the Akashvani gate, according to PTI.
Despite being prevented by police, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Deepinder Hooda entered the Akashvani Bhawan premises from the reception gate. They were later seen sitting under a tree, PTI reported.
