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New Delhi: Hundreds of protesters joined Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders in a march from Barakhamba Road to the Supreme Court on Monday, demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and calling for his resignation.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, led the march towards the Supreme Court on Tilak Marg, around 2 km away, alongside Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora.
The march came amid efforts by opposition leaders to challenge the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Kumar through legal proceedings.
Several INDIA bloc leaders have joined Rahul Gandhi in the petition, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, CPI(M) leader MA Baby, CPI leader D Raja, JMM leader Mahua Majhi, NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Supriya Sule and IUML leader ET Muhammed Basheer.
However, the Supreme Court Registry has identified 14 defects in the petition, including missing documents, incomplete authorisations for nine petitioners, a blurred copy of Kharge’s identity card and a shortfall of ₹220 in court fees.
The petition can be listed for a hearing once the defects have been rectified.
In a letter dated October 11, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant informed Kharge and Rahul Gandhi that matters raising similar issues were scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, October 13.
The Chief Justice said the petition could be submitted on Monday either physically at the Supreme Court between 10.30 am and 4.30 pm or through the court’s e-filing facility, which allows submissions at any time.
He assured the opposition leaders that any such petition would be heard at the earliest possible opportunity, in accordance with the law.
Addressing protesters later in the evening, Rahul Gandhi said the opposition had a single objective and would continue its campaign against Kumar and the government’s leadership.
“There are no parallel protests; there is one protest to remove Gyanesh Kumar. We are not going to stop,” he said.
In a late-night video message, Rahul Gandhi thanked those who had participated in the march, INDIA bloc leaders, Congress workers and supporters who had backed the protest.
“I would like to thank every single person who came out today for this protest. I’d also like to thank the millions of people who showed support in their own way at 3 pm,” he said.
Describing the demonstration as an important message to the government, he said people would not be intimidated by threats.
“Today was a very important day because we needed to show the government that the people of India are not going to be intimidated. You cannot beat us, threaten us, frighten us,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi also challenged members of the ruling establishment to come out and face the protesters.
“When we are standing there and when the people of India are standing there, why don’t you come out? Why don’t you wear your little scarves and come out and see what happens?” he said.
The North News
