INDIA bloc protest: Heavy security in place at Jantar Mantar ahead of MPs’ march

Security was tightened around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday as INDIA bloc MPs prepared to head towards the protest site to demonstrate against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The opposition MPs had earlier gathered for a meeting called by Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss their concerns over the CEC and the SIR exercise.

The meeting was aimed at preparing a letter to the CEC seeking an urgent meeting with opposition leaders to discuss issues related to the SIR.

Speaking ahead of the protest, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said, "Yesterday, they said we cannot protest there, so we are taking the protest to Jantar Mantar... Gyanesh Kumar will have to resign. I want 100 FIRs on me, every FIR is a medal."

TMC MP Derek O'Brien said the opposition parties were united in their campaign.

"We are all here together; we are all here united, and we are all here without any egos. We will fight the giant till they are out," he said.

Security forces were also deployed heavily at Nirvachan Sadan after opposition parties led a march there on Tuesday.

Several key opposition MPs had assembled in the national capital for the meeting convened by Kharge. RJD MP Manoj Jha, while speaking earlier in the day, said, "There will be a lunch; maybe there will also be a launch."

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said the events of the previous day, including Rahul Gandhi's detention, had helped strengthen the opposition's message.

Congress MP Deepender Hooda also said the opposition would not be deterred by police cases.

"Are we going to be scared of an FIR? ...we have just come for lunch; we will have lunch. Our fight to save democracy and the Constitution will continue. I have received information that an FIR has been registered in which my name is also included. We are not going to be intimidated by an FIR."

The opposition has intensified its campaign against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. On Tuesday, opposition parties held a day-long protest that ended with the detention of Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi. Parallel demonstrations are also being held by opposition parties in different states, with the Congress signalling that the confrontation will continue until the CEC resigns.

Separately, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers were stopped by police at barricades in Delhi on Wednesday while marching from the Sindhi Academy near Kashmere Gate towards the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office. The protesters alleged widespread "vote theft."