Opposition leaders march to Supreme Court in Delhi demanding Chief Election Commissioner's resignation

Delhi's political climate remained heated on Monday as the Opposition took a hard line against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Questioning alleged irregularities in the election process and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Opposition leaders marched towards the Supreme Court. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge were among several prominent leaders who joined. Large crowds of protesters were seen on several roads in the capital, and police stepped up security arrangements.

The Opposition INDIA bloc has named the protest "Chalo Delhi - March for Democracy". The march is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Opposition parties have been seen protesting against the Election Commission almost daily this month. On Monday the Opposition was trying to file a petition in the Supreme Court, which added to the importance of the protest.

Before the march, Opposition leaders met at the India Club in Delhi. They discussed the future course of the agitation and what steps should be taken against the alleged irregularities in the election process. After the meeting, leaders led by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge proceeded from the Constitution Club of India towards the Supreme Court via Barakhamba Road. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi and leaders of various Opposition parties, including former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, were with them. All India Students Association national president Neha Bora was seen walking with Priyanka Gandhi. According to pictures on social media, a large crowd of protesters had gathered in the area from Connaught Place to Mandi House.

Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also joined the march. He criticised the Centre and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Akhilesh Yadav said it was our responsibility to save democracy. He accused the BJP of manipulating the election process and claimed that the BJP wanted to remain in power and that, together with the Election Commission, an attempt was being made to destroy the Constitution and democracy. According to him, the country would not be safe without removing the BJP from power. He said his fight against the functioning of the Election Commission would continue, and also demanded that the Election Commission be removed.

As the march moved ahead, reports came in that Delhi Police had stopped it. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were also stopped near the first barricade. Workers in the march protested, and there was confusion for some time. Sources said a petition had been filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of the Opposition parties.

Before the march, Rahul Gandhi had said it was like the wedding procession of Lord Shiva, and that a person of any ideology could join it. He appealed to everyone to come together on the issue of democracy and the election process.

According to sources, three petitions will be filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of the Opposition parties, to be accompanied by the vakalatnama of advocate Prasanna. It is being said that the Supreme Court has agreed to let 5 to 10 leaders file the petition with their lawyers at the filing counter on the premises. According to sources, this counter is outside the high-security zone, so no special pass is needed to go there. It was also said that Chief Justice of India Surya Kant had agreed to this.

Congress MP and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said this was not merely a protest march but a fight for principles. Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge posed a barrage of questions to the Chief Election Commissioner and claimed that the Opposition's questions were valid. He asked who had given official approval to Form 6, who had ordered Form 7 to be printed in large numbers, and who had supplied the pre-printed forms. Priyank Kharge also asked where Gyanesh Kumar was, and said that if the head of a constitutional body did not come forward himself, it was necessary to question him.