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INDIA Bloc Leaders Seek President's Help Over Alleged Vote Theft
Opposition politicians in India say that votes may have been stolen.
They marched from Parliament with a banner saying “Save Democracy,” but police stopped many of them at Vijay Chowk.
A smaller group of leaders went to meet President Droupadi Murmu.
They planned to give her a note explaining their concerns.
The politicians also want Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to leave his job.
The Election Commission says that people inside an institution can disagree and that its decisions follow the law.
The opposition says it will keep protesting.
The article says these protests followed a report about disagreements among election officials over electoral-roll decisions.
A delegation of INDIA bloc leaders headed to meet President Droupadi Murmu with a memorandum on alleged “vote chori.”
Police stopped other opposition MPs at Vijay Chowk after they marched from Parliament House carrying a “Save Democracy” banner.
The delegation included Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and leaders from other parties.
Before the march, INDIA bloc MPs met to discuss protests over alleged vote theft and to press for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s ouster.
The Election Commission said differing views are normal and its orders follow statutory procedures; opposition leaders said they would continue protesting until the CEC resigns.
- Who
- INDIA bloc MPs and leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee.
- What
- Some MPs marched and were stopped by police; a delegation proceeded to meet President Droupadi Murmu with a memorandum on alleged “vote chori.”
- Where
- New Delhi, including the route from Parliament House to Vijay Chowk and Rashtrapati Bhawan.
- When
- Friday evening, October 9; the article does not specify the year.
- Why
- The opposition was protesting alleged vote theft and seeking action over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, including the CEC’s ouster.
Opposition leaders
Election Commission
Election decisions and alleged vote theft
Opposition leaders
INDIA bloc leaders alleged “vote chori,” objected to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demanded the CEC’s ouster.
Election Commission
The Election Commission said differing views and observations are normal, and that its orders carry legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.
Key facts
- Delegation's purpose
- To hand President Droupadi Murmu a memorandum about the alleged “vote chori” issue.
- March route
- From Parliament House to Vijay Chowk.
- Police action
- Police stopped the marching MPs at Vijay Chowk, where barricades had been put up.
- Meeting location
- The INDIA bloc MPs met at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan before the march.
- Protest demand
- Opposition leaders pressed for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s ouster.
- Election Commission response
- The Commission said differing views are normal and its orders have legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.
- Related action
- The bloc had finalised a plan for rallies and “save democracy” marches; leaders also held a sit-in at Rajghat on Thursday.
Quotes
Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress leader who attended the INDIA bloc meeting and commented on security arrangements ahead of a protest.
“They are scared. ‘Aur jo aadmi darta hai vo aaj nahi toh kal marta hai’.”
theprint.in
Sources
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