INDIA bloc MPs, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee, marched from Parliament towards Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday evening to meet President Droupadi Murmu and seek her intervention over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission, particularly the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The march came after the Opposition alliance secured an appointment with the President for 8 pm to press its demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police stopped the larger procession at Vijay Chowk, where Opposition MPs continued their demonstration, while a 10-member delegation proceeded towards Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The delegation included Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee, CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby, CPI general secretary D Raja, Samajwadi Party leader Rajeev Rai, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and RJD MP Manoj Jha, among others.
Opposition marches from Parliament
Earlier in the evening, INDIA bloc MPs assembled at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan to discuss their strategy and finalise the delegation that would meet the President.
The Opposition leaders subsequently began marching towards Rashtrapati Bhavan, raising concerns over the electoral roll revision exercise and demanding accountability from the Election Commission.
However, police prevented the larger gathering from proceeding beyond Vijay Chowk amid heightened security arrangements in central Delhi.
The 10-member delegation reached Rashtrapati Bhavan to submit a memorandum seeking Kumar's removal over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.
The Opposition has accused the Election Commission of facilitating the wrongful deletion of eligible voters during the SIR exercise. The poll panel and the BJP have rejected allegations of electoral manipulation.
Rahul attacks government
Addressing Opposition MPs before the march, Gandhi accused the government of undermining democratic institutions and claimed that the continuing protests had unsettled the ruling establishment.
He argued that the controversy surrounding Kumar reflected deeper concerns about the functioning of the government and the independence of constitutional institutions.
The Opposition has also raised questions over reported differences among Election Commissioners concerning decisions related to electoral roll revisions. The Election Commission has maintained that its decisions follow established procedures and has rejected allegations of wrongdoing.
Fourth day of protests
Friday's march marked the fourth consecutive day of demonstrations by INDIA bloc leaders in the national capital.
On Tuesday, Opposition MPs attempted to march towards the Election Commission headquarters but were stopped by police. Gandhi and several other leaders subsequently staged a protest before being detained.
Another attempt to reach Jantar Mantar on Wednesday resulted in further confrontation with police and the detention of Opposition leaders.
On Thursday, INDIA bloc leaders gathered at Rajghat, where they reiterated their demand for Kumar's resignation and called for greater transparency in the electoral roll revision process.
The latest march came amid extensive security preparations across Delhi ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Saturday.
The Opposition's representation to the President is expected to seek intervention over the Election Commission's functioning, the SIR exercise and the demand for Kumar's resignation.
While the delegation reached Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday evening, confirmation of the outcome of its meeting with President Murmu was awaited.