Congress workers staged a protest on Monday outside the residence of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Agra, alleging vote theft by the BJP and the Election Commission of India. The protesters carried posters with slogans such as “Gyanesh Kumar, vote chor” (Gyanesh Kumar, vote thief), “Leave Agra” and “Gyanesh Kumar, Senior BJP Leader.”
Meanwhile, leaders from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) continued their protest at the Parliament premises against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. The protests persist despite the Election Commission's clarification on Sunday and its request for Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, to submit a signed affidavit with proof of his claims regarding election rigging.
MPs, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Akhilesh Yadav, Abhishek Banerjee, and Kanimozhi, took part in the demonstration, raising concerns over the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar and what they refer to as ‘vote chori’ by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission.
The opposition parties have been protesting against the revision of voter lists since the start of the Parliament's monsoon session on July 21. In response, the treasury benches have accused the Opposition of disrupting parliamentary proceedings. The INDIA bloc leaders have termed the ongoing SIR exercise as “Silent Invisible Rigging” and held banners calling for an end to ‘Vote chori.’
Also read: Prove voter roll is clean, before seeking affidavit: Congress to Election Commission
In a press conference, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged Congress and other opposition parties to stop creating disruptions in Parliament over issues concerning the Election Commission. Rijiju stated that any disputes between the Election Commission and political parties should be addressed directly with the EC, rather than in Parliament.
During the political stalemate, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi continues his 'Voter Adhikar rally' in Bihar. Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders' rally is trying to create awareness on voter rights by protesting against the reported "vote theft" and misconduct in the SIR of electoral rolls.
In a social media post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote: “16 days 20+ districts 1,300+ km We are coming among the people with the Voter Adhikar Yatra. This is the fight to protect the most fundamental democratic right – ‘one person, one vote.’ Join us in Bihar to save the Constitution.”
Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of the Mahagathbandhan are scheduled to visit Punama Wazirganj, Gaya, and Barbiga via Nawada on August 19.
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