"Fight is with EC, yet BJP provides answers," says Congress MP Imran Masood
Congress MP Imran Masood and the INDIA bloc march towards Nirvachan Sadan, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
In a high-voltage political confrontation, members of the INDIA bloc took to the streets of the national capital on Tuesday, launching a massive protest march toward the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters. Led by prominent leaders from the Congress and Samajwadi Party, the opposition is demanding accountability over alleged discrepancies in voter registration processes and the perceived lack of independence within the election machinery.
Allegations of Treason and Form 6 Discrepancies
Congress MP Imran Masood launched a blistering attack on the electoral leadership, specifically questioning recent modifications made to Form 6. He highlighted that the Supreme Court had previously noted it had not approved certain modifications to the form, raising questions about who authorized these changes.
“Look at the mockery they have made of the situation. They granted immunity to the Election Commissioner, ensuring no action could be taken against him... Changes were made to Form 6. Who made those changes? That is precisely what we are asking,” Masood stated. He further intensified his rhetoric, framing the alleged breach of public trust as a matter of national security.
“The Election Commissioner must go. They have betrayed the nation; they have shattered the country's trust. We maintain that this offence is so grave that it falls under the category of treason. They must step down,” Masood added, warning that the opposition is prepared for a "decisive battle."
Demands for Resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
The protest was not limited to procedural questions; it also targeted the individual leadership of the poll administration. Congress MP Mallu Ravi directed his criticism toward Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of acting as an instrument for the executive branch rather than a constitutional watchdog.
Ravi alleged that the CEC is implementing directions from the Prime Minister and the Home Minister that run contrary to the interests of the people and the Constitution. “The voting right is a fundamental right... Rahul Gandhi was asking for clarification from the Prime Minister and the Home Minister,” Ravi said, as protesters raised slogans demanding the resignations of PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Security Tightened as INDIA Bloc Marches
The march, which commenced from the Makar Dwar of Parliament, met significant resistance from security forces. Heavy police deployment and multi-layered barricades were established across Central Delhi to prevent the lawmakers from reaching Nirvachan Sadan.
Despite the barricades, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav remained defiant. He dismissed the BJP's accusations that the opposition was attempting to undermine constitutional institutions, instead turning the critique back onto the ruling party.
“The BJP should feel ashamed saying this; they have no right to speak on it. They removed the Chief Justice of India from the appointment panel of the Election Commission and included a minister from their own cabinet,” Yadav remarked. He further questioned the government's credibility, citing the expulsion of 150 Members of Parliament during the passage of previous laws.
The ongoing protest underscores a deepening rift between the opposition and the electoral authorities, as the INDIA bloc continues its campaign for greater transparency in electoral rolls and the appointment mechanisms of election officials.