New Delhi [India], October 12 (ANI): Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday joined the opposition INDIA bloc’s mega protest march in the national capital, asserting that their movement is aimed at seeking “justice for the sake of humanity.”
Speaking to reporters during the demonstration in Delhi, Banerjee emphasised that their movement was driven by humanitarian grounds.
“We are demanding justice for the sake of humanity. That is all… We want justice,” Banerjee said.
Leaders from various constituent parties of the INDIA bloc gathered in central Delhi to stage a joint protest march, pressing their collective demands.
Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D. Raja launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India, demanding the immediate resignation or removal of Chief Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar, and announced that the opposition would approach the apex court on the matter.
Speaking to ANI during the INDIA bloc’s protest march in the national capital, the CPI leader claimed that there is growing public anger across the country regarding the conduct and functioning of the poll body.
“Delhi has never witnessed such a protest. There is public anger all over the country. The way Mr Ganesh Kumar continues to be in office as Chief Election Commissioner is not acceptable to the people, because under him, the Election Commission has not functioned as a constitutional body mandated by the Constitution,” Raja said.
Emphasising the opposition’s next course of action, Raja added, “That is why people are demanding that he must resign, or he must be removed… We are going to the Supreme Court to file a petition.”
In view of the opposition INDIA bloc’s protest march in the national capital, Delhi Police on Tuesday deployed its “maximum available force” to regulate vehicular movement and manage security in central Delhi, particularly around the Mandi House area.
Several key arterial roads witnessed restricted movement and diversions as leaders and workers of the INDIA bloc gathered in large numbers to stage their demonstration. Delhi Traffic Police has urged commuters to plan their travel accordingly in light of the ongoing regulations.
Telangana Minister Mohammed Azharuddin stated that the INDIA bloc’s agitation in the national capital will persist “100 per cent” until Chief Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar tenders his resignation.
Speaking to ANI during the opposition alliance’s mega protest march in New Delhi, Azharuddin pointed out that the Telangana Chief Minister was also present at the demonstration, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
“Our Chief Minister from Telangana is also here. This protest will absolutely continue until Ganesh Kumar resigns. It will continue 100%; Mr. Ganesh Kumar ought to realize that he is working for the Election Commission of India, not for any political party. In our view, the sooner he resigns, the better it will be for him. Otherwise, the protest will continue, and look at the public: hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets. This signifies that the matter is extremely serious”, he said.
His remarks came as INDIA bloc leaders and MPs marched towards the Supreme Court, seeking action over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi led the INDIA bloc’s march towards the Supreme Court on Monday, where the opposition plans to petition the court, listing out alleged irregularities in the SIR process and seeking action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. (ANI)
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