8 hrs ago
Vijay-Led TVK to Join INDIA Bloc Meeting on CEC Removal
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, a party led by Vijay, plans to join a meeting of opposition parties.
The meeting is expected to discuss removing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Opposition leaders have raised concerns about how voter lists are being revised and about electronic voting machines.
They say the Election Commission’s actions need to be challenged.
Congress leader K. C. Venugopal said protesters were ready to be arrested.
Protests have taken place in Mumbai and Delhi.
The opposition alliance says more events are planned, including one on October 6 and a rally on November 1.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam will send Aadhav Arjuna and Maria Wilson to an INDIA bloc consultative meeting on Saturday.
Opposition leaders are expected to seek the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The bloc has raised concerns about alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revisions and electronic voting machines.
Congress General Secretary K. C. Venugopal said opposition leaders were prepared for arrest during protests.
Planned actions include a programme on October 6 and a Delhi rally on November 1.
- Who
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam representatives and INDIA bloc opposition leaders, including Congress General Secretary K. C. Venugopal.
- What
- TVK plans to attend an INDIA bloc meeting where opposition leaders are expected to seek Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal.
- Where
- The meeting is associated with the INDIA bloc; protests have taken place in Mumbai and near Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
- When
- The consultative meeting is scheduled for Saturday; further actions are planned for October 6 and November 1.
- Why
- Opposition leaders cite alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and concerns about electronic voting machines.
Key facts
- TVK representatives
- Aadhav Arjuna and Maria Wilson
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Gyanesh Kumar
- Key demand
- Opposition leaders are expected to seek Kumar’s removal.
- Election issues raised
- Alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and concerns over EVMs.
- Reported objections
- The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected at least 14 times over 10 months.
- Planned programme
- October 6
- Planned rally
- Delhi, November 1
Quotes
KC Venugopal
Congress General Secretary
“This is for saving the democracy of the country, saving the vote for a common man. Common men's votes are snatched by Modi and Shah through the Election Commission of India. So, this is a do-or-die fight for the Congress party and the INDIA alliance and all other opposition parties. We are not going to allow this thing.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Today's arrest? Yes. In the coming days, more arrests will happen. We are ready to go to jail to save democracy. And their leaders will go to jail. We are ready. Let them prepare all the jails to fill us.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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