Opposition MPs to march to Election Commission on October 6; bloc leaders to seek President’s appointment and demand speedy disposal of SIR-related cases
The INDIA bloc on Wednesday announced a six-point action plan to intensify its campaign against alleged vote theft, including district-level “Save Democracy” marches from October 2 to 8, a march to the Election Commission on October 6 and a major rally in Delhi on November 1.
Announcing the plan after a meeting of opposition leaders, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the bloc would also seek an appointment with the President of India in the second week of October and organise five major rallies to raise awareness about what it described as threats to democracy and the Constitution.
Kharge said the district-level marches would bring together members of the INDIA bloc, young people and others who believe in democracy and are committed to protecting the Constitution and the country’s unity. Participants will hold demonstrations outside district magistrates’ offices and inform people about the campaign.
The opposition has also decided to march to the Election Commission on October 6. Kharge said the leaders had initially planned to visit the poll panel on Wednesday but postponed the march to ensure that MPs from both Houses and representatives of different parties could participate.
As part of the next step, the Leader of Opposition and other INDIA bloc leaders will seek a meeting with the President in the second week of October. They intend to submit a representation highlighting what Kharge described as constitutional obstacles and the difficulties being faced by people.
The bloc will also hold five major rallies, with dates and venues to be announced later. Kharge said the rallies would be aimed at bringing opposition parties together and informing people about what the alliance alleges are attempts to undermine democratic rights.
The campaign will culminate, for now, in a major rally in Delhi on November 1, which Kharge said would focus on allegations of “vote theft”. He referred to concerns raised earlier by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders, saying the issue was now receiving wider public attention.
Kharge accused the Narendra Modi government of depriving people of their rights through electoral processes, comparing the alleged practice to demonetisation and describing it as “vote-bandhi”. These claims are part of the opposition’s allegations against the government.
The sixth point in the action plan is a demand for the Supreme Court to expedite cases related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and other alleged electoral malpractices. Kharge urged INDIA bloc leaders to press for the speedy disposal of these cases, saying delays could affect the public and deny people timely justice.
“These are the six points that we have collectively decided upon,” Kharge said, presenting the alliance’s plan to the media.
