New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday escalated his attack on the government and the Election Commission, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of being part of what he described as a “criminal conspiracy” to “hijack” the country.
Gandhi made the remarks as Opposition parties continued their protests in Delhi against the Election Commission and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The INDIA bloc has been demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the revision exercise. The Election Commission has rejected the Opposition’s allegations and maintained that its decisions follow statutory procedures.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Gandhi said around 300 MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha wanted to hold a peaceful protest but had been prevented from doing so on two consecutive days. He referred to the Opposition’s attempts to demonstrate first outside the Election Commission and later at Jantar Mantar.
“The reality is that Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Mohan Bhagwat and Gyanesh Kumar have hijacked India through a criminal conspiracy,” Gandhi alleged, accusing the four of destroying the Constitution and “stealing votes”. He further said the Opposition would ensure that those responsible were held accountable and brought to justice.
The remarks came on the third consecutive day of Opposition demonstrations in the national capital. On Tuesday, Opposition MPs attempted to march towards the Election Commission headquarters but were stopped by police. Several leaders, including Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, subsequently staged a sit-in.
On Wednesday, Opposition leaders again attempted to proceed towards Jantar Mantar. Police stopped the protesters and several leaders were detained. Delhi Police also registered FIRs in connection with the demonstrations.
On Thursday, INDIA bloc leaders changed their protest venue and headed towards Rajghat for a peaceful demonstration. Gandhi and other Opposition leaders reiterated that their campaign would continue until the Election Commission addresses their concerns and Gyanesh Kumar resigns.
The BJP and supporters of the Election Commission have rejected the Opposition’s allegations. The dispute has increasingly centred on the SIR process, electoral-roll revisions and accusations of “vote theft”, turning the issue into a wider political confrontation over the electoral process.
Meanwhile, Gandhi’s latest remarks have added to the escalating political rhetoric in Delhi, with both sides continuing to present sharply different accounts of the SIR exercise and the Opposition protests.
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