New Delhi [India], October 7 (ANI): Heavy security was deployed near Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Wednesday as INDIA bloc MPs were scheduled to move towards the protest site against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Earlier in the afternoon, the INDIA bloc MPs attended a meeting convened by Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss the issue concerning the CEC.
Leader of the Opposition of Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said, "Yesterday, they said we cannot protest there, so we are taking the protest to Jantar Mantar... Gyanesh Kumar will have to resign. I want 100 FIRs on me, every FIR is a medal."
"We are all here together; we are all here united, and we are all here without any egos. We will fight the giant till they are out," said TMC MP Derek O'Brien.
Heavy security forces have been deployed at Nirvachan Sadan, as the opposition parties led a march on Tuesday.
The objective of the meeting was to draft a letter which will be sent to the CEC demanding an urgent meeting with opposition leaders on the SIR issues.
Key Opposition MPs who assembled in the national capital today for a meeting called by Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Earlier today, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha said, "There will be a lunch; maybe there will also be a launch."
MP Karti Chidambaram noted that the preceding day's events, including the detention of Rahul Gandhi, had successfully energised the opposition's message.
Congress MP Deepender Hooda told reporters, "Are we going to be scared of an FIR? ...we have just come for lunch; we will have lunch. Our fight to save democracy and the Constitution will continue. I have received information that an FIR has been registered in which my name is also included. We are not going to be intimidated by an FIR."
The opposition has stepped up the ante against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. On Tuesday, the parties staged a day-long protest which culminated in the detention of Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi. The opposition parties are also holding parallel protests across states, with the Congress signalling that the face-off will continue till the CEC resigns.
Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers were stopped by police personnel at barricades on Wednesday as they staged a protest march from the Sindhi Academy near Kashmere Gate towards the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office, alleging widespread "vote theft." (ANI)
Heavy security deployed near Jantar Mantar ahead of INDIA bloc MPs’ scheduled protest
