New Delhi, Oct 6: Prominent opposition leaders staged an impromptu sit-in on Tuesday after security forces blocked the INDIA alliance’s march to Nirvachan Sadan near the NITI Aayog office. The demonstration, organized to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over disputed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) procedures, resulted in a stand-off as lawmakers refused to disperse.
The protest march featured heavy participation from top alliance figures, including Congress leadership, Samajwadi Party representatives, and allied parliamentarians. Tensions escalated near the security perimeter, where Samajwadi Party members climbed atop police barriers while demonstration leaders seated themselves on the road to continue their agitation.
“Gyanesh, it’s done, bro. Time to resign,” asserted Rahul Gandhi in a public statement during the protest, criticizing the poll panel’s leadership.
Opposition representatives maintained that the demonstration reflects broader public misgivings regarding voter list modifications and election oversight.
“The decision to march was taken collectively because the integrity of the electoral process must be safeguarded,” affirmed CPI General Secretary D. Raja, noting that member parties stood united in demanding accountability.
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed the sentiment, pointing to past controversies in Chandigarh and state assembly elections to argue that electoral safeguards had been compromised. In response, Election Commission officials and BJP representatives dismissed the claims as unfounded, emphasizing that administrative safety measures in central Delhi remain actively enforced to preserve public order.
