The opposition INDIA bloc on Sunday held a major protest rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, accusing the BJP of electoral irregularities and demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The rally, organised under the banner of ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’, brought together prominent opposition leaders, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.
Addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Election Commission had colluded with the BJP to manipulate electoral rolls and undermine democratic processes. He claimed that the 2024 Lok Sabha election was “stolen”, citing the removal of 13.3 crore voters from electoral lists.
Gandhi warned that legal action would follow against those responsible for the alleged irregularities, including the Chief Election Commissioner. He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of shielding Kumar.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the BJP had attempted to deprive Dalits, women and young voters of their electoral rights. He called for Modi’s removal, arguing that democracy could not be protected under the current government.
Other opposition leaders echoed these allegations. Mamata Banerjee claimed that elections in West Bengal had been manipulated, while Akhilesh Yadav described the rally as a sign of impending political change.
Tejashwi Yadav compared the alleged electoral manipulation to the Mahabharata, calling for accountability and action against those responsible.
The BJP rejected the opposition’s allegations, describing the rally as a chaotic spectacle. BJP president Nitin Nabin accused Rahul Gandhi of attempting to create political instability at the behest of foreign powers.
The protest also opposed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with opposition leaders arguing that the exercise could undermine voting rights.
The INDIA bloc vowed to continue its campaign against alleged electoral irregularities, asserting that the fight was necessary to protect the Constitution and democratic institutions.
Source: The New Indian Express
