New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Holding Tricolours and banners reading ‘Save democracy’, the INDIA bloc MPs on Tuesday commenced their protest march from Parliament to the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) headquarters in the National Capital, demanding Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The Opposition leaders raised slogans against the CEC, BJP and the RSS as they marched towards the ECI headquarters.
The DMK and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) did not participate in the Opposition’s march.
In view of the protest, Delhi Police and other security forces had been placed on alert. Barricades were also set up outside the ECI office.
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with several other INDIA bloc leaders, staged a dharna after they were stopped from heading towards the ECI’s office.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee and SP MP Dharmendra Yadav were also seen raising slogans as they proceeded towards the poll body’s office.
Congress MP Pawan Khera, holding a banner reading ‘Save Democracy’, told IANS, “This is just the beginning. This issue will go a long way.”
Speaking to IANS, Congress leader Ragini Nayak said, “This is the time to save democracy and protect our democratic process from the assault on the Constitution of India and vote theft.”
Police have instructed security forces to be fully prepared to deal with any situation. Necessary arrangements have been made to control the crowd and maintain law and order.
“The police’s objective is to maintain peace and order during the protest and prevent any untoward incidents,” officials said.
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been imposed in and around Jantar Mantar. Under this, restrictions may be imposed on certain activities and gatherings in the area.
The administration has appealed to the public to follow the prescribed rules and cooperate with security arrangements.
