Politics · India · 1 hr ago
Opposition protests against Election Commission pause as Congress plans next steps
Opposition parties led by Congress held a week of protests in Delhi over electoral rolls and alleged poll irregularities.
They also called for the ouster of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
On Monday, opposition leaders marched to the Supreme Court and filed a petition challenging the voter-roll revision and alleged irregularities.
Congress told its allies that no march or demonstration was planned for Tuesday.
Some Congress youth and student groups may still hold protests of their own.
Congress leaders have said the wider agitation will continue, but opposition allies may make separate plans, including because of the Durga Puja period.
A Congress press conference on Tuesday is expected to set out the party’s next political steps.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc paused plans for another demonstration in Delhi after a week of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Opposition leaders marched to the Supreme Court on Monday and filed a petition concerning alleged vote theft and electoral irregularities.
Congress told its allies that no march or demonstration was planned for Tuesday, though party-affiliated youth and student groups might continue protesting.
Some INDIA bloc allies said they might make their own plans, with one citing priorities in West Bengal and the approaching Durga Puja.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal said the agitation would continue.
- Who
- The Congress-led INDIA bloc and its allies, including Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders.
- What
- Opposition leaders protested against the Election Commission and filed a petition over alleged vote theft and electoral irregularities. Congress paused plans for a further demonstration on Tuesday.
- When
- The protests began on October 6; the march to the Supreme Court took place on Monday, October 12.
- Where
- New Delhi, including the Supreme Court complex and sites of earlier marches.
- Why
- The opposition said it was protesting alleged poll irregularities and seeking the ouster of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc began protests with a march from Parliament towards the Election Commission, which was stopped near Akashvani Bhavan.
Opposition lawmakers tried to march from Janpath to Jantar Mantar but were stopped by police and detained.
The INDIA bloc marched to Rajghat and later held a march from Parliament to Rashtrapati Bhavan to submit a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu.
Opposition leaders marched to the Supreme Court complex and filed a petition concerning alleged vote theft and poll irregularities.
Congress leaders told allies that no demonstration was planned for Tuesday.
- Protest start
- October 6
- Monday march destination
- Supreme Court complex, New Delhi
- Petition
- Filed by 11 Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge
- Chief election commissioner
- Gyanesh Kumar
- Next-day plan
- Congress said no demonstration was planned for Tuesday
What people are saying
I got a call from Congress. They believe that after the successful march to the Supreme Court and filing of a petition, there is no need for another march or demonstrations on Tuesday
We might not be able to come to Delhi during the Puja week. So, if the Congress or any other party makes a protest plan, they have to do it on their own
Today was a very important day because we needed to show the government that the people of India are not going to be intimidated.
Sources
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