CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has intensified his political campaign against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The Opposition has alleged that voters’ names were deleted on a large scale during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll and that irregularities took place in the electoral process. Over these allegations, Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc have planned protests at several levels to put pressure on the government and the Election Commission. However, the allegations linked to “vote theft” are claims made by the Opposition, and their independent verification and legal process are separate matters.
Ten key points of Rahul Gandhi’s strategy
1. Demand for the CEC’s resignation: Rahul Gandhi and Opposition parties are demanding that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar step down.
2. Public impeachment-style protest: The INDIA bloc has planned to organise a symbolic “Jan Mahabhiyog” programme against Gyanesh Kumar. This is not the formal constitutional process of impeachment.
3. “Chalo Delhi” campaign: Rahul Gandhi has appealed to people and Opposition workers to reach Delhi and join the protest.
4. Rally at Ramlila Maidan: A major INDIA bloc rally has been proposed at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
5. Memorandum to the President: Opposition leaders met President Droupadi Murmu, complained about electoral irregularities and demanded action.
6. Halt to SIR: The Opposition has demanded that the process of Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll be stopped.
7. Demand to restore deleted names: The Opposition memorandum includes a demand to restore the names of 13.30 crore voters allegedly deleted from the rolls.
8. Return of ballot papers: The alliance has raised the demand that future elections be conducted through ballot papers instead of EVMs.
9. Changes in election-related law: The Opposition has demanded repeal of the 2023 law that gives legal protection to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
10. Review of past elections: The Opposition has also demanded cancellation of those Assembly elections in which, according to it, concrete evidence of vote theft exists.
Programme changed due to rain
The INDIA bloc’s symbolic “Jan Mahabhiyog” programme against Gyanesh Kumar was earlier scheduled for October 30, but it was postponed to October 31 due to rain in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi said the alliance leaders would hold the programme the next day by consensus. Along with this, preparations are being made for a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
Demand for action also made to the President
On October 9, a delegation of the INDIA bloc submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu. It placed four key demands, including the CEC’s resignation, a halt to SIR, restoration of names in the electoral roll and the return of ballot papers. Rahul Gandhi had said that the President asked the Opposition to provide evidence in support of its allegations.
Dispute between the Election Commission and the Opposition
While the Opposition is alleging irregularities in the electoral roll and deletion of names, the Election Commission has defended its process. In this situation, the dispute remains centred on the transparency of the electoral roll, the SIR process and the trust of political parties in the electoral system.
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