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India’s Congress-led opposition alliance has called for a protest march towards the Supreme Court on Monday to intensify its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, whom it has accused of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced that the opposition would submit a petition against Kumar to the Supreme Court on Monday evening, NDTV reported.
Several opposition leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, were expected to join the “Chalo Delhi” programme.
The opposition has been demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the voter-list revision process. The non-political Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has also been protesting against him.
On Sunday, police detained All India Students’ Association student leader Neha Bora and several other protesters. CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas was also detained in the same area.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined to meet opposition leaders and advised them to submit a petition instead. According to NDTV sources, he said the issues they wanted to raise were already under consideration by the Supreme Court.
Addressing reporters in Delhi, Rahul alleged that Kumar was under pressure from the protests and claimed he could not sleep out of fear.
Rahul also said the opposition would continue its movement for as long as necessary, whether for days, weeks, months or years.
The Congress leader further claimed that around 200 officials within Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government were in contact with the opposition and providing information.
The protests have heightened political tensions surrounding the Election Commission and the voter-list revision process.
The Supreme Court on Sunday issued notices to the Centre following a case concerning alleged restrictions, internet disruptions and the suspension of metro and rail services amid protests. The court directed authorities to ensure normal transport and internet services, review barricading arrangements and follow legal procedures when dealing with peaceful, unarmed gatherings.
