Rahul Gandhi targets CEC, INDIA bloc to move Supreme Court on Monday

Rahul Gandhi demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and announced an INDIA bloc march to the Supreme Court. He cast the protest as a battle to defend the Constitution and overhaul the election system.

In Short

• Opposition leaders will assemble at Barakhamba junction before marching together
• The petition is scheduled in Supreme Court at 3 pm
• Gandhi said the campaign aims to defend the Constitution and youth's future

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday stepped up his attack on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying INDIA bloc leaders will march to the Supreme Court on Monday and file a petition against the poll panel chief and alleged 'vote chori'. He said the protest was part of a wider fight to protect the Constitution and the election system.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters, Gandhi asked Kumar to resign and 'turn approver', saying the opposition's fight was against bigger forces behind him. He also urged opposition leaders, party workers and young people to join the 'Chalo Delhi - March for Democracy' and questioned the restrictions imposed across the national capital.

Gandhi said, 'Resign, turn approver; you have made a mistake but you are not the mind behind the mistake.' He added, 'We know Gyanesh Kumar is unable to sleep at night; I am telling him directly you will not survive as CEC.' He said there had been resistance earlier too, but it had not come out on the streets in this form, and added that the fight would continue 'even if it takes days or years'. He also claimed that 200 government officers were in touch with the opposition and were providing information.

According to Gandhi, INDIA bloc leaders will gather at the Connaught Place-Barakhamba Road junction at 1.30 pm on Monday for the march to the Supreme Court. He said the petition would be filed at 3 pm and asked people to show solidarity with the Constitution and the national flag. 'Express yourself in whatever form you can against what is happening,' he said.

Calling the Constitution 'our religion', the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said, 'Till the time the Constitution is not upheld, the Election Commissioner does not go and election system is not revamped, the youth of the country are not going to stop.' He also said, 'Five criminals will face justice. Five criminals have attacked the idea of India and attacked its soul. We will not budge or stop, no matter how much time it takes.'

Gandhi appealed for wider participation in the protest and said, 'India is marching, join us today 1.30 PM at Barakhamba junction. Whosoever wants to protect the Constitution can join us, even if they are of the BJP if they feel the Constitution is under attack.' He added, 'Narendra Modi's blueprint, his horoscope is with us.' He said the fight was not about him or the prime minister, adding, 'The importance is of India and its Constitution, the expression of people and the future of the country. I urge all opposition leaders, all party workers, the youth that this is the fight for your future and your dignity and please join us.'

The opposition has been demanding Kumar's resignation after a report by The Indian Express said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had objected on record at least 14 times over the last 10 months, mostly over decisions and orders linked to the electoral rolls exercise. The Election Commission, facing questions over the objections raised by the two commissioners, said differing views and observations were a normal part of deliberations in any institution and that all its orders carried full legal sanction and followed established statutory procedure.

Gandhi also questioned the curbs across Delhi. 'The question is why is Delhi jailed. Why is the capital city of India in jail. People are being stopped from reaching Delhi. People are being stopped from coming in buses and trains. Delhi has been turned into a fortress,' he said. Referring to heavy police deployment, he said the government wanted 30,000 police personnel on the roads. 'We want to show to the country that the Narendra Modi government is protecting Gyanesh Kumar. The more they do so, the better for us,' he said, while also claiming that police personnel were asking why they were being told to stop and beat up the youth.

Gandhi's remarks brought together the opposition's call for Kumar's resignation, its planned Supreme Court petition and its street protest in Delhi, with the Congress leader framing the campaign as a fight over the Constitution, the election system and the country's future.

- Ends