A alliance gathered on a single platform in the national capital, New Delhi, to finalize a comprehensive strategy against the Election Commission and the current electoral processes. During this crucial meeting, the opposition parties collectively decided to launch a phased nationwide movement to protest against what they term as the undermining of democratic institutions. The announcement was made during a high-profile press conference where Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Mamata Banerjee shared the details of their upcoming agitation.
Phased Protest Schedule and Major Rallies
The alliance has outlined a detailed roadmap for their protests, while a alliance will organize marches and demonstrations at the district level across the country. These protests will specifically target District Magistrate (DM) offices and will be branded as 'Save Democracy' marches. Following this, on October 6, all opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) are scheduled to march to the Election Commission office in Delhi to register their formal protest.
In addition to these localized actions, the alliance has planned five major rallies across India. The first and most significant of these is a mega rally proposed to be held in Delhi on November 1. The locations for the remaining four rallies will be decided and announced at a later date. On top of that, the opposition leaders intend to seek an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October. During this meeting, they plan to apprise the President of their concerns regarding the alleged attempts by the current government to capture and control independent institutions.
Allegations Against the Election Commission
Speaking at the press conference, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge raised serious questions about the autonomy of the Election Commission. He asked whether the commission has been reduced to a mere puppet. Kharge stated that the opposition parties have decided to fight together to protect democracy. He highlighted 'vote theft' and concerns over the electoral process as the primary issues of their movement. A major demand emphasized during the meeting was the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with paper ballots for future elections.
Kharge further alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are using the Election Commission like a 'puppet'. He asserted that all leaders within the alliance are committed to fighting this battle collectively to ensure the integrity of the democratic process.
Rahul Gandhi on Constitutional Defense
Rahul Gandhi, the former Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, addressed the gathering by stating that all opposition leaders are the collective defenders of the Indian Constitution. He expressed that working together for this cause is a matter of honor. Gandhi voiced his confidence that the coming months would witness significant changes in the country's political landscape.
He emphasized that the opposition has decided to continue the struggle through political and democratic means to ensure action against those who harm democracy. According to Gandhi, democracy is far greater than any single individual. He also noted that the issue of 'vote theft' has been presented to the public, and there is a visible reaction among the youth regarding these concerns.
Mamata Banerjee Demands CEC Resignation
Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee took a stern stance against the Election Commission and specifically Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while she demanded the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, asserting that the right to vote is a constitutional right of the people and it's the responsibility of the opposition to protect it. Banerjee leveled serious allegations of vote manipulation, claiming that approximately 92 lakh votes were allegedly tampered with in West Bengal alone. She further claimed that this figure exceeds 13 crore across the entire country.
Banerjee also raised concerns regarding the software used in the electoral process and issues related to EVMs. She warned that if no action is taken on their demands, the movement would be further intensified. A alliance. While the alliance showed a united front, it was noted that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) didn't attend the meeting, and Akhilesh Yadav was also absent from the proceedings.