INDIA bloc parties to hold 'Save Democracy' rally in Jammu on October 7, seek CEC's removal

Leaders of the INDIA bloc parties on Saturday announced a joint 'Save Democracy' rally in Jammu on October 7, seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Addressing a joint press conference at the Congress headquarters here, senior leaders of the Congress, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said protest marches would also be held in different districts between October 4 and 8.

The leaders, including Pradesh Congress Committee working president Raman Bhalla, Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, NC provincial president Ratan Lal Gupta, PDP General Secretary Rajinder Singh Manhas and National Panthers Party India leader Gagan Pratap Singh, said the protests would highlight the BJP's "vote chori" and raise concerns over the electoral process.

Earlier, a meeting of senior leaders of the INDIA bloc parties discussed the schedule of protests in different districts, in accordance with the decision taken at the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi on September 30.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, the leaders said democracy was under threat in the country, as highlighted by the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the entire opposition and "supported" by a recent media report.

"Over 13.30 crore voters have been deleted through an illegal and arbitrary SIR exercise, depriving the genuine and eligible people of their precious right to vote.

"It has been established beyond doubt, and people are largely convinced that the BJP government is involved in large-scale vote chori and hijacking of the election system and democracy in the country," the PCC working president said.

Seeking the removal of the CEC, streamlining of the entire electoral system and restoration of independence and fairness of elections, the leaders said they have come together to fight for the cause of the "Vote Bachao-Desh Bachao" campaign.

They also reiterated the demand for the early restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and said the people are highly resentful over the delay in granting statehood by the BJP-led Central government.