Indian National Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge invited INDIA bloc lawmakers to lunch in Delhi after their march to the Election Commission. The MPs were expected to discuss their next steps and seek a meeting with the chief election commissioner.
Indian National Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge invited INDIA bloc lawmakers to lunch on October 7 at Sagar Ratna on Janpath in Delhi. ANI, citing sources, said the meeting was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. local time. The MPs were also expected to sign a letter requesting a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The meeting followed a protest on October 6. Opposition MPs marched from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters, demanding a meeting with the commissioners and alleging irregularities in the electoral process. Delhi Police stopped the march near Akashvani Bhawan. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Congress leaders entered the premises and insisted that their delegation be allowed to meet the commissioners.
The sit-in lasted nearly nine hours. Police detained several opposition MPs and took them to New Police Lines at Kingsway Camp. Police figures put the total number of people detained at about 260; the report also said roughly 50 MPs were detained.
Rahul Gandhi questioned why elected representatives were being denied access to the Election Commission, saying: “If the representatives of the people cannot meet the Election Commission, then what is the meaning of democracy?” After his release, Congress MP Pawan Khera warned that the protest had not ended the opposition’s campaign.
Kharge’s lunch was expected to give the alliance a place to discuss its immediate strategy and how to maintain pressure over what it calls “vote chori.” Opposition parties are demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and a meeting with the commissioners to present their allegations. The Election Commission has maintained its position on the issues raised.