INDIA Bloc Rally: Tharoor Demands CEC's Exit, Surjewala Hails 'People's Revolution'
Opposition leaders gather at Ramlila Maidan for the 'Chalo Delhi' march, alleging electoral roll irregularities and demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's exit.
The national capital witnessed a massive surge of opposition energy on Sunday as thousands of supporters and leaders from the INDIA bloc converged at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan. The INDIA bloc Chalo Delhi protest was organized to voice strong objections against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and alleged discrepancies found in the electoral rolls.
The protest, which began as a march from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction, culminated in a high-voltage gathering where opposition figures launched scathing attacks on the Election Commission and the central government.
Shashi Tharoor Calls for CEC’s Resignation
Among the most prominent demands was a call for the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stated that the public's trust in the CEC has completely eroded.
Speaking to ANI, Tharoor emphasized that the voice of the people is now loud and clear. He remarked, "It looks like the voice of the people has been aroused, and it is time for Gyanesh Kumar to hear the voice of the people. If he has got an ounce of moral conscience, he should see that people have lost faith in him and he should quit."
A 'People's Revolution' Against the 'Emperor'
Adding to the intensity, Congress MP Randeep Surjewala characterized the rally not just as a protest, but as the spark of a nationwide uprising. He accused the government of undermining the Constitution and facilitating the "theft of votes."
Surjewala claimed that the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and other opposition figures at Ramlila Maidan would send a powerful message across the country. "A people’s revolution has begun in the country. The throne of the 'emperor' is shaking," Surjewala asserted, adding that attacks on the Constitution would no longer be tolerated.
Pledge to Topple the Government
The sentiment of systemic change was echoed by Congress leader Kumari Selja, who described the crowd as a "massive sea of hundreds of thousands." She stated that the gathered supporters and INDIA bloc leaders had taken a solemn pledge to end the current state of affairs brought about by the BJP and the CEC.
Selja went further to claim that the public had already decided to bring down the current government, asserting that the prevailing situation in the country could not be allowed to continue.
Constitution is Not a 'Plaything'
Senior Advocate and Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi also addressed the gathering, framing the rally as a manifestation of public outrage. He stressed that the protest served as a warning that the Constitution of India is not a "plaything" for anyone to manipulate.
Timeline of the Unrest
The 'Chalo Delhi' march follows a series of escalating tensions between the opposition and the electoral body. Notably, this mega rally took place just one day after a public 'impeachment' program targeting CEC Gyanesh Kumar was conducted in the national capital on Saturday.
The primary grievances remain centered on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which the opposition claims is riddled with irregularities that could compromise the integrity of future elections.