New Delhi: Congress and other INDIA bloc MPs began arriving for a second consecutive lunch meeting on Thursday as Opposition leaders prepared to discuss their next course of action in their ongoing protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The leaders are expected to march to Rajghat after the meeting.

Security was tightened outside the restaurant as Opposition leaders and MPs arrived for the lunch hosted by Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.

INDIA bloc to decide next protest strategy

Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh said the INDIA bloc would continue its protest against Gyanesh Kumar and asserted that the Opposition was “not going back”.

“Today also, we have a strong protest, an aggressive protest against Gyanesh Kumar. We are not going back,” Suresh said.

He said the next strategy would be decided by INDIA bloc leaders during the meeting and that the subsequent protest would be led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Kharge, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Opposition leaders.

“Our ultimatum is for Gyanesh Kumar to resign from the Chief Election Commissioner post. If he is not ready to resign, the government should remove him from the post,” Suresh said.
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Opposition leaders target police action, FIRs

Congress MPs also criticised the police action during Wednesday’s protest and the FIRs filed against Rahul Gandhi.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari alleged that Opposition leaders were subjected to “brutality” while attempting to reach Jantar Mantar.

“We will not let the Constitution of the country be taken away. We will save the Constitution no matter what,” he said.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore alleged that the BJP and the central government were protecting Gyanesh Kumar. He said the Opposition’s demand was for the CEC’s resignation and accused the government of trying to prevent mobilisation around the issue.

Imran Masood raises voter deletion allegations

Congress MP Imran Masood said the protest would continue over what he described as the removal of voters’ names.

“Until this loot stops and the 13 crore people whose voting rights were cut are restored, this fight will continue,” Masood said.

He also questioned the Election Commission over the scale of voter deletions and referred to allegations involving voters identified as Bangladeshis.
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Second INDIA bloc meeting in two days

Thursday’s lunch meeting is the second gathering of INDIA bloc leaders in two days.

On Wednesday, Opposition leaders met before attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar to protest against the Chief Election Commissioner and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

The Delhi Police stopped the march and detained several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.

Three FIRs registered after Wednesday protest

Delhi Police on Thursday said three FIRs had been registered in connection with Wednesday’s Opposition protest, with more cases being registered.

The FIRs involve allegations including assault on police personnel, obstruction of government work, pushing and manhandling, and misbehaviour with police personnel.

The names of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also figure in the details of the FIRs registered so far, according to Delhi Police.