New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the INDIA bloc’s protest against alleged electoral irregularities aims to restore democracy in the country.
He accused the government of weakening democratic institutions and alleged that the Constitution was being undermined.
Speaking after a meeting with INDIA bloc leaders, opposition MPs and student organisations at his residence, Gandhi said the opposition was united in its efforts to restore democratic governance.
“There is no parallel protest; there is one singular protest, and the protest has one mission: the restoration of democracy in India,” Gandhi said, alleging that the Election Commission and the Constitution had been undermined.
Gandhi also criticised the government’s decision to restrict the use of Jantar Mantar as a venue for protests. He said the opposition would challenge the move, arguing that citizens must have the freedom to express dissent and raise their voices.
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Gandhi alleged that they were responsible for undermining the Constitution and democratic institutions.
Meanwhile, Kerala Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the Congress and the INDIA bloc would continue their campaign against the Election Commission over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
Chennithala also claimed that the Kerala government was examining allegations of misconduct and corruption against Gyanesh Kumar dating back to his tenure as the state’s Public Works Department secretary around two decades ago. He said the matter was under examination by the relevant authorities.
The allegations made by Gandhi and Chennithala come amid the opposition’s continued criticism of the Election Commission and its demand for accountability over electoral processes.
