Rahul Gandhi: Anti-CEC protests: Opposition, police face off again; Rahul Gandhi says won’t stop till Gyanesh quits | India News
NEW DELHI: Opposition INDIA bloc members on Wednesday travelled by buses from their lunch meeting in Connaught Place towards Jantar Mantar, seeking to protest and demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. But for the second day in a row, Delhi Police stalled their agitation, detaining them less than 1km from their intended “flash protest” site.“We are not going to stop protesting till CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns,” said Rahul Gandhi, who was detained along with 90 others, including MPs and workers, after hours of confrontation with police in front of Shangri-La hotel. They were taken to Barakhamba police station and released later around 8:30 pm.
My target is 100 FIRs against me. Every FIR a medal: Rahul
Later, Congress issued a directive to all its state, block and district committees, to hold “massive demonstrations” to protest the police action to prevent the INDIA bloc from holding a protest at Jantar Mantar. “Congress declares today as a black day for Indian democracy,” it stated.The joint opposition made it clear that their protest will continue undeterred and a bigger protest plan is in the works for Thursday.However, Delhi Police said restrictions imposed under BNSS’s Section 163 were in force in the New Delhi area, which is why the protesters were detained. “As Section 163 is in force here… protest marches or demonstrations are not allowed without permission,” DCP Sachin Sharma said.
It all began with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosting INDIA bloc MPs for lunch at a restaurant in Janpath, which began around 1.30pm and where the gathering was informed about a plan to continue the protest against CEC, this time with a march to Jantar Mantar for a demonstration.Members, including Congress’s Rahul, KC Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, John Brittas (CPM), P Sandosh Kumar (CPI), Manoj Jha (RJD), Derek O’Brien (TMC), Thol Thirumavalavan (VCK), emerged from the restaurant and announced the protest plan. MPs of JMM and IUML also joined them.They headed for buses waiting for them to leave. But the administration had stationed police in heavy numbers at Janpath, which, coupled with the gathering of onlookers and rush of political workers, made it difficult for the buses to move. Some Congress MPs and functionaries climbed on the roof of one of the buses, waving Tricolour. The MPs were forced to dismount from the buses in front of the hotel, where they were surrounded by police. Priyanka, Raja Warring and Deepender Hooda sat down on the road along with some workers, even as the cops continued to request Rahul to get into a bus. Cops finally picked up Rahul and took him away in a mini van. Similarly, Priyanka, who was lying on the street clutching a copy of the Constitution, along with other women workers of her party, was removed.Police claimed that some protesters attacked their personnel. A sub-inspector alleged protesters bit him and tore his uniform. Police are also analysing mobile-phone videos following allegations that police personnel, including women, were assaulted near Jantar Mantar.Kharge and Rahul said the opposition will continue with its protests till CEC resigns. On an FIR being registered against him for entering Akashvani Bhavan premises and staging an eight-hour sit-in Tuesday, Rahul said, “I have 45 FIRs against me. My target is that there should be 100 FIRs against me. Every FIR against me is a medal for me.” Rahul said the opposition decided to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar, which is the designated protest site, as govt told them that dharna couldn’t be held at places like Election Commission.
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While some of Congress’ allies were absent from the lunch, party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said the decision for lunch was taken late Tuesday night, and the absence was understandable.On Samajwadi Party, O’Brien said there was a minor miscommunication, which was addressed swiftly, and Samajwadi Party will join the protest Thursday.Sources said Congress had reached out to certain opposition parties to make it clear there was some misunderstanding and the decision to enter Akashwani Bhavan Tuesday was taken on the spur. Left and TMC functionaries were also dismissive of any lingering differences.
