Rahul Gandhi to Challenge Chief Election Commissioner in Supreme Court
Opposition leaders, led by Rahul Gandhi, plan to file a petition against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral fraud.
Rahul Gandhi claims heavy police presence in Delhi is to protect the CEC.
Opposition leaders will march in protest against alleged electoral malpractice.
Supreme Court Chief Justice declined a meeting request from the opposition.
In a significant move, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, announced that the INDIA bloc of opposition leaders will approach the Supreme Court on Monday to seek action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This decision comes amid allegations of voter fraud, which Gandhi described as "vote chori" or vote theft, during a press conference held in Delhi.
Gandhi expressed concerns over the current political climate, stating that individuals traveling to Delhi were being obstructed, with reports of passengers being forced to disembark from trains and buses. He emphasized the heavy police deployment in the capital, estimating the presence of 20,000 to 30,000 officers, and criticized the government for creating a fortress-like environment.
During his address, Gandhi asserted that the government's actions were misguided, suggesting that the extensive police presence was intended to shield the Chief Election Commissioner from scrutiny. He claimed that the public and opposition parties were united against the government, which he accused of protecting Gyanesh Kumar, along with other high-ranking officials including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
In addition to Gandhi's statements, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal called on citizens to participate in a protest march in Delhi on the same day. He urged those concerned about the integrity of Indian democracy to join the demonstration against what he termed as electoral malpractice orchestrated by the Modi-Shah regime. Venugopal indicated that the march would include participation from MPs, party leaders, and citizens alike.
The opposition's planned demonstration is part of a broader campaign aimed at addressing alleged electoral fraud. A delegation of senior opposition leaders also intends to submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India, seeking judicial intervention regarding these allegations. However, the Chief Justice, Surya Kant, has already advised the leaders to file a petition in court, as the matter is currently under judicial consideration. The developments on Monday are expected to further escalate tensions between the opposition and the ruling government as they seek accountability in the electoral process.
