'CEC Gyanesh Kumar attempted to trample upon democracy': INDIA bloc calls for restoring Jantar Mantar as protest site

INDIA Bloc leaders called for restoring Jantar Mantar as protest site on Monday, alleging that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar attemped to trample upon democracy.

"You are all aware of the manner in which Gyanesh Kumar Gupta has attempted to trample upon democracy; this is clearly a conspiracy by the BJP, Amit Shah, and Modi ji. We are united in our resolve to save democracy, and we will make whatever sacrifices are necessary to achieve this," RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said during a press conference by the Opposition alliance.

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Meanwhile, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge hailed INDIA bloc protests against "vote chori", CEC as "massive success".

The way Gyanesh Gupta has acted like a mere puppet, he will certainly face punishment, Yadav said.

"These people will not escape; they are fearful, and this fear is evident in how they have shifted the protest venue—moving it from Jantar Mantar, a site of historical significance where protests traditionally took place, to the borders of Delhi. This move betrays their fear. We will continue this fight; we will stand united, fight, and emerge victorious," the RJD leader added.

Addressing media after the INDIA bloc meeting, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, It's our commitment to people that those who have destroyed Constitution will be brought to justice."

He reiterated that the Opposition, and other unions protesting against SIR are "together as one" and that there are no parellel protests.

TMC MP Sagarika Ghose reiterated INDIA bloc's appeal, saying that it is becoming increasingly clear that the Gyanesh Kumar-led Election Commission is undermining free and fair elections in India.

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"We will not stop until Mr Gyanesh Kumar is removed and criminal proceedings are initiated not only against him but also against all Election Commission officials who supervised elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Bengal and Bihar, because these have been elections marked by vote chori...The government currently in power in Bengal is illegitimate. It came to power through vote chori," she said.

INDIA bloc is demanding halt on SIR process and reversal to old electoral rolls, along with resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.