52 mins ago
Congress, RJD Protest Bihar, Demand Election Chief’s Resignation
Two opposition parties, Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, held protests across Bihar.
They were unhappy with decisions made by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The parties focused on a process called SIR and on how voter lists are being prepared.
They said these actions could hurt democracy and the Constitution.
RJD workers burned effigies at district offices.
Congress held a march in Patna and burned an effigy as well.
The parties demanded that Kumar resign.
They also called for Assembly elections in several states to be cancelled.
Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal held statewide protests in Bihar on Friday over decisions by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The parties alleged that the Special Intensive Revision process and electoral-roll preparation could undermine democracy and the Constitution.
The RJD burned effigies at district headquarters and demanded cancellation of Assembly elections in Bihar, Bengal and other states.
Congress marched from R. Block in Patna to the State Election Commission office, where workers burned an effigy of Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress leader Rajesh Ram and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav demanded Kumar’s resignation and warned that protests could intensify.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav and Rajesh Ram.
- What
- Congress and the RJD held protests and demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over the SIR process and electoral-roll preparation.
- Where
- Across Bihar, including district headquarters and Patna.
- When
- Friday.
- Why
- The parties alleged that the Election Commission’s decisions were arbitrary and could undermine democracy and give the BJP an electoral advantage.
Key facts
- Protesting parties
- Indian National Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal
- Official targeted
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Main issue
- The SIR process and preparation of electoral rolls
- Main demand
- Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and an apology
- RJD action
- Effigy-burning protests at district headquarters, including Patna
- Congress action
- A march from R. Block in Patna to the State Election Commission office
- Additional demand
- Cancellation of Assembly elections in Bihar, Bengal and other states
Quotes
Tejashwi Yadav
RJD national working president
“Elections in five states, including Bihar, should be cancelled. Modi and Shah have turned the Election Commission into a tool to kill democracy. Why did the two Election Commissioners who raised questions about the functioning of the Election Commission remain silent for so long? The people of the country will now take to the streets and make the Election Commission transparent and accountable.”
thestatesman.com
“The unethical Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, who is attempting to manipulate election results through arbitrary measures, will have to resign. Otherwise, Congress will be forced to intensify its protests.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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