1 hr ago
BJD MPs Join Opposition March as Congress Targets BJP
Opposition lawmakers marched toward the Election Commission in New Delhi.
Police stopped them before they reached their destination.
Some lawmakers sat down to protest and demand the election chief’s resignation.
Several MPs were later taken away in buses by police.
Two lawmakers from the Biju Janata Dal also joined the march.
Their party said it is not part of either the INDIA alliance or the NDA.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said opposition parties would keep working together on issues including alleged vote theft and delimitation.
He also criticized the BJP with a mocking name.
Biju Janata Dal MPs Manas Mangaraj and Sulata Deo joined INDIA bloc MPs on a march toward the Election Commission.
Police stopped the march in central New Delhi; reports describe the location as Parliament Street and near the Akashvani building.
The MPs sat in a protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, and several were detained.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said opposition solidarity would continue over alleged “vote chori” and delimitation.
Sulata Deo said BJD was joining the march but was aligned with neither the INDIA alliance nor the NDA.
- Who
- INDIA bloc MPs and Biju Janata Dal MPs Manas Mangaraj and Sulata Deo; Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also commented.
- What
- MPs marched toward the Election Commission, were stopped by police, and protested while demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Where
- New Delhi. The report says the march was stopped on Parliament Street and also describes the stop as near the Akashvani building.
- When
- Tuesday, October 6; the year is not stated.
- Why
- The MPs were protesting and demanding the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation; Ramesh linked opposition solidarity to alleged “vote chori” and delimitation.
Congress and INDIA bloc
BJD’s stated position
Opposition cooperation
Congress and INDIA bloc
Jairam Ramesh said opposition solidarity would continue to oppose what he called the nefarious designs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
BJD’s stated position
Sulata Deo said BJD joined the protest but was neither part of the INDIA alliance nor the NDA, describing it as a responsible regional party.
Characterization of the BJP
Congress and INDIA bloc
Congress used the phrase “Bharatiya Jhoot Party” and said its exit countdown had begun.
BJD’s stated position
No response from the BJP is included in the report.
Key facts
- Protest participants
- INDIA bloc MPs and BJD MPs Manas Mangaraj and Sulata Deo
- Destination
- Election Commission
- Reported stop locations
- Parliament Street; near the Akashvani building close to Nirvachan Sadan
- Protest demand
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation
- Police action
- Several MPs were detained and taken away in buses
- BJD position
- Sulata Deo said BJD was neither with the INDIA alliance nor the NDA
- Congress statement
- Jairam Ramesh said opposition solidarity would continue over “vote chori” or delimitation
Quotes
Jairam Ramesh
Congress general secretary in charge of communications.
“BJD is joining the protest march, but our leader Naveen Patnaik has already cleared that we are neither with the INDIA alliance nor the NDA, we are a responsible regional political party.”
theprint.in
“The countdown to the exit of the Bharatiya Jhoot Party has already begun.”
theprint.in
Sources
Related news
INDIA Bloc Plans ECI March and President Meeting Over SIR
AAP Skips INDIA Bloc March to Election Commission
Opposition INDIA Bloc Marches to Election Commission Amid Barricades
INDIA Bloc MPs March to Election Commission, Protest Stopped
INDIA Bloc Announces Marches, Rallies Over Alleged ‘Vote Chori’
Opposition MPs March to Demand Election Chief's Resignation
India's Yadav Arrives in Fiji for COP31 Pre-COP Discussions
INDIA Bloc Marches to Election Commission Over Alleged Rights Erosion
Opposition March to Election Commission Stopped in Delhi
Modi Hosts Swiss President Parmelin for Indian-Swiss Fusion Lunch
