India
Rahul Gandhi leads opposition march to ECI over voter roll claims
Rahul Gandhi led opposition MPs in a march to ECI headquarters, demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged SIR process irregularities. The protest was halted by security, with opposition leaders staging a dharna. AAP skipped the march, while the Supreme Court declined to suspend Kumar.
At a glance
Why it matters
The opposition's protest highlights tensions over electoral integrity and the ECI's authority, with potential implications for upcoming elections and political stability.
Key facts
- Rahul Gandhi led a march to ECI headquarters, demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over SIR process claims.
- The protest was halted by security, with opposition leaders staging a dharna at Parliament Street.
- The Supreme Court stated it had not approved any modified Form 6 used in the SIR process, issuing notices to the ECI and Kumar.
- AAP skipped the march, opting to address the issue through its own means.
- Opposition leaders have called for Kumar's resignation and PM Modi's removal, with planned rallies until November 25.
What happens next
The Supreme Court's notices to the ECI and Kumar may lead to further legal developments, while the opposition plans continued protests and rallies until November 25.
Rahul Gandhi led a march by INDIA bloc MPs to the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters on Tuesday, calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protest, which began from Parliament's Makar Dwar around 11 am, was halted by security personnel near the Niti Aayog office. Several opposition MPs sat in protest, with leaders later staging a dharna at Parliament Street.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule participated in the march, which included placards and cutouts of Kumar. The opposition accused the ECI of irregularities in the SIR process, which involves revising voter rolls.
The march was met with heavy security, including barricades and Rapid Action Force personnel. AAP stated it would not join the protest, opting to address the issue through its own means. The Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified that it had not approved any modified version of Form 6 used for voter enrolment during the SIR process.
CJI Surya Kant stated, “Any modified Form 6 has not been approved by us,” and issued notices to the Centre, ECI, and Kumar. The court declined to pass an ex-parte interim order suspending Kumar.
Opposition leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, have demanded Kumar's resignation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's removal. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh assured the march would be peaceful, with the opposition planning district-level padyatras and rallies until November 25. The ECI has not publicly responded to the allegations, and the situation remains unresolved.