“Meeting President won’t deter us from agitation”: John Brittas vows to continue protest until CEC resigns
Opposition leaders vow to continue agitation and demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation despite meeting President Murmu.
The INDIA bloc has declared that its massive agitation will not subside, even as a delegation of opposition leaders prepares to meet President Droupadi Murmu. The alliance has set a firm ultimatum: their protests will persist until Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar resigns from his post.
Speaking to the media, CPI(M) MP John Brittas made it clear that the upcoming meeting with the President is merely one part of their strategy and does not signal an end to their street protests. The opposition is demanding immediate action regarding alleged irregularities found during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
No Retreat from Agitation
Brittas emphasized that while the delegation will proceed with the scheduled meeting, the core demand remains unchanged. He noted that the opposition has secured some partial relief from the Supreme Court and urged the government to respect the judiciary's observations regarding fundamental rights.
“We will meet with the President; our delegation will go, but that doesn't deter us from our agitation or protest... we will not budge without achieving our goal of the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar,” said John Brittas.
The MP further highlighted that the right to association and the right to protest are fundamental pillars of democracy that must be upheld by the government.
Allegations of "Vote Theft" and Mistreatment
The intensity of the protest was echoed by Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi, who framed the movement as a democratic 'Satyagraha'. He accused the current system of engaging in "vote theft" and claimed that opposition members have faced significant hardship recently.
Pratapgarhi specifically pointed toward the treatment of the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he and other MPs have been subjected to mistreatment and detention in recent days. The INDIA bloc intends to urge the President, as the nation's First Citizen, to intervene and protect the sanctity of the vote.
Limited Access to the President
While the opposition is eager to present its case, there are growing tensions regarding the scale of the meeting. Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy noted that the President has granted an appointment for a limited number of opposition members at 8 pm. Meanwhile, Congress MP Syed Nasir Hussain expressed frustration over the restrictions placed on the delegation.
Hussain revealed that although hundreds of MPs wish to voice their concerns, permission has only been granted to a small group of 10 representatives. He stated:
- Every MP wants to submit detailed reports regarding irregularities in the SIR process within their specific constituencies and states.
- The opposition is seeking an opportunity for all 300 MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to present their concerns.
- The current restriction limits the ability of lawmakers to directly address the President regarding local electoral issues.
The protest has already entered its third consecutive day in the national capital, with opposition members visiting Raj Ghat on Thursday to mark their defiance. The alliance remains steadfast in its campaign, promising to continue the struggle until the resignation and potential prosecution of Gyanesh Kumar are addressed.