INDIA bloc readies major move against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar

New Delhi. The opposition INDIA alliance is preparing to further intensify its agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Opposition parties may begin the next phase of protests in early November. After the Maharally proposed on November 1 at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, several options are being considered to take the movement forward. These include taking out a massive march once again in the national capital and holding a symbolic mock parliament on the issue of removing the Chief Election Commissioner from the post.

Leaders of the opposition alliance say that the agitation will continue on the questions being raised regarding the functioning of the Election Commission, Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list and the role of the Chief Election Commissioner. However, the final decision has not been taken yet regarding the next phase of programs to be held in November. Top leaders of the alliance are discussing various proposals.

Demonstration of strength at Ramlila Maidan on November 1

The Maharally to be held on November 1 at Delhi’s historic Ramlila Maidan is being considered an important milestone in the movement of the opposition alliance. Leaders of various parties of INDIA alliance including Congress are likely to participate in this rally.

The main objective of the rally is to demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from the post and to put before the public the issue of alleged irregularities in the voter list.

Delhi Police has given permission to Congress to organize the rally at Ramlila Maidan. No objection certificate has been issued by the police for the period from October 25 to November 3. The administration is coordinating with the organizers regarding security, traffic and maintaining law and order.

Preparations for another big march

The proposal to organize a large-scale march once again in Delhi is also being discussed among the opposition leaders. Earlier, MPs and leaders of INDIA alliance had protested against the Election Commission.

On October 6, opposition MPs under the leadership of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi tried to march towards the Election Commission headquarters. The protesters had raised the demand for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

During this period, there was a confrontation between the police and the protesters and many opposition leaders were detained. Now the opposition parties are exploring the possibilities of taking such large crowds out on the streets again.

Proposal to organize mock parliament

The most talked about proposal in the strategy of the movement is to organize a mock parliament. In this program, a symbolic demonstration of the process of removing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from the post can be done.

Its objective will be to put before the public the allegations of the opposition against the Chief Election Commissioner and the issue of constitutional accountability.

However, the proceedings of the mock parliament will be only symbolic. Due to this the Chief Election Commissioner cannot be legally removed from the post. The actual process of resignation has to be completed in Parliament as per the provisions of the Constitution and relevant laws.

Along with this proposal, other creative protest programs have also been discussed in the meetings of opposition leaders. The final date and format of these programs have not been decided yet.

Controversy over special revision of voter list

Special Intensive Revision of Voter List or SIR is also at the center of the movement of opposition parties. Leaders of the INDIA alliance have raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the process.

The opposition alleges that the process of amendment and deletion of names from voter lists may affect the rights of a large number of eligible voters. Opposition leaders have also raised questions on the independence of the functioning of the Election Commission.

On the other hand, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has been calling these allegations of the opposition as politically motivated. Political controversy continues over allegations related to the voter list and the role of the Election Commission.

Important role of Rahul Gandhi and opposition leaders

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge are playing major roles in this campaign. Other parties of the opposition alliance are also discussing to widen the movement.

In the meeting of INDIA Alliance held at the end of September, a strategy was agreed upon to hold a joint demonstration against the Chief Election Commissioner and to run a movement across the country.

The opposition leaders had made it clear that they do not want to limit this issue only to the Parliament, but also want to take it among the public. Under this strategy, rallies, marches and public relations programs are being planned.

Student organizations and social organizations will also be involved

To give a broader shape to the November 1 rally, there are preparations to bring together student organizations and groups associated with civil society.

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien has also indicated that students and representatives of social organizations will take part in the proposed rally.

The effort of the opposition parties is that the movement should not be limited to the programs of political parties, but participation of various social sections should be ensured in it.

Big event planned for end of November also

Apart from the November 1 rally, the opposition has also planned an agitation for the last week of November. According to the Congress plan, six yatras can be taken out from different places around Delhi on November 25 and 26.

These visits have been made a part of the ‘Chalo Delhi’ programme. Under the proposed programme, all Yatras on 26th November, Constitution Day