INDIA bloc rally: Priyanka Gandhi lists Opposition's five demands

At INDIA bloc's rally on March 31, Opposition parties called upon the Election Commission guarantee fairness in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The leaders emphasised that they will fight what they termed as "undemocratic obstacles" created by the BJP.

During the 'Loktantra Bachao Rally' held at Delhi's Ramlila ground, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra set down five demands by the alliance, underlining that the EC should ensure a level playing field for all parties in Lok Sabha elections.

The opposition leader stressed that the Election Commission must intervene to halt the actions of agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, CBI, and the Income Tax department against opposition figures, which she said will impact the election process in a negative way. Gandhi also demanded the immediate release of former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.


INDIA's 5 demands

• EC should ensure a level-playing field for all parties in the upcoming national polls
• EC should stop forceful action of Income Tax, CBI and ED against opposition
• Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal be released immediately
• Attempts to strangle the opposition parties financially need to be stopped
• An SC-monitored SIT should be formed to probe the BJP's extortion of funds through electoral bonds

The Congress leader stressed that measures to disrupt the finances of opposition parties during the elections must be checked immediately. Other leaders present at the rally also echoed her view.

The opposition coalition also called for the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) monitored by the Supreme Court to investigate the BJP's alleged solicitation of funds through the electoral bonds scheme.

The Supreme Court invalidated the electoral bonds scheme for political funding last month, citing its infringement upon constitutional rights such as freedom of speech and expression, as well as the right to information.

"I have been coming to Ramlila Maidan since childhood. Every year Ravan's effigy is set on fire. When I was a kid, I used to come (here) with my grandmother Indira Ji and she used to narrate the Ramayana to me. Those in power today call themselves Ram Bhakts. When I was sitting here I thought that I should say something to them. I want to remind them of the 1,000-year-old tale and its message," Priyanka Gandhi said at the rally.

Gandhi said that despite the BJP creating "undemocratic obstacles", the INDIA bloc was committed to fighting, winning, and saving democracy in India.

"When Lord Ram fought for truth, he did not have power, resources or even a chariot. Ravan had chariots, resources, army and gold but Lord Ram had truth, hope, belief, love, kindness, modesty, patience, courage and truth. I want to tell those in power and PM Narendra Modi that the message of Lord Ram's life is that power is not permanent... and arrogance gets shattered," she added.