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Opposition Protesters Detained Again as CEC Resignation Demanded
Opposition politicians held another protest in Delhi on Wednesday.
They want Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Police stopped their march and detained several leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Rahul Gandhi said the protests would continue.
The Samajwadi Party did not join Wednesday’s lunch or protest.
Its leaders said Congress had not coordinated well and had made the earlier protest seem focused on the Gandhi family.
Congress said opposition parties were still united.
The Samajwadi Party was expected to send representatives to a protest on Thursday.
Opposition leaders protested in central Delhi for a second consecutive day, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign.
Police stopped their march near Windsor Place and detained Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other leaders.
Rahul Gandhi said the protests would continue, describing them as a fight to protect democracy.
The Samajwadi Party skipped Wednesday’s lunch and protest, citing poor coordination and concerns that Congress had dominated the previous day’s demonstration.
Congress said INDIA bloc parties remained united; sources said the Samajwadi Party agreed to send representatives to Thursday’s protest.
- Who
- Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc MPs; the Samajwadi Party stayed away on Wednesday.
- What
- A protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation ended with police detentions.
- Where
- Central New Delhi; the march was stopped near Windsor Place while heading towards Jantar Mantar.
- When
- Wednesday, the second consecutive day of protests.
- Why
- The protesters demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and said they were defending democracy, citing issues including Vote Chori and SIR.
Congress and alliance unity
Samajwadi Party concerns
Coordination and visibility at protests
Congress and alliance unity
Congress said all alliance parties were invited to the lunch and described the absence of some parties as a result of late communication; it said the opposition remained united.
Samajwadi Party concerns
Samajwadi Party leaders said Congress coordination was poor and that the previous day’s joint protest was presented as centered on the Gandhi siblings.
Who led opposition action on SIR
Congress and alliance unity
Congress said opposition parties stood together against Vote Chori, SIR and delimitation.
Samajwadi Party concerns
A Samajwadi Party leader said Akhilesh Yadav had raised concerns about SIR in Uttar Pradesh more forcefully, while Congress had taken only symbolic steps there.
Key facts
- Protest day
- Second consecutive day
- Main demand
- Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation as Chief Election Commissioner
- March route
- From Sagar Ratna on Janpath towards Jantar Mantar
- Police intervention
- Police stopped the march near Windsor Place and detained leaders and workers
- Samajwadi Party
- Did not attend Wednesday’s lunch or protest; sources said it agreed to send representatives on Thursday
- Congress response
- Called for further protests at state, district and block levels on Thursday
- Issues cited
- Vote Chori, SIR and delimitation
Quotes
Jairam Ramesh
Congress leader who commented on attendance at the lunch.
“But the decision for lunch had been taken late last night and communicated. It was therefore natural that some parties could not be represented. There is needless comment in some sections of the media on it. INDIA and other Opposition parties are united and stand in solidarity against Vote Chori, SIR and Delimitation.”
indianexpress.com
“We are not going to stop protesting till Gyanesh Kumar resigns. This is a fight to protect the most sacred thing in this country. There is nothing that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah can do that will stop us.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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