NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday levelled serious allegations against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the Narendra Modi-led Centre, claiming that around 200 government officials were in touch with the opposition and sharing information, including officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ministry of external affairs.Speaking at a press conference ahead of the INDIA bloc’s planned march to the Supreme Court, Rahul said, “I want to tell Narendra Modi that 200 officials of your government are in touch with us and informing us, including those in the ED, CBI, foreign ministry…”Stepping up his attack on the poll body chief, Rahul claimed Kumar was having “sleepless nights” amid the opposition’s campaign against alleged electoral irregularities.Responding to a reporter’s question on whether he had communicated with the CEC, Rahul claimed that he had been “getting messages”.When asked if he had a message for Gyanesh Kumar, Rahul said, “You have done a crime, and you are not the main criminal. You made a mistake and you are not the mind behind the mistake. We are after the people who are behind what you did. It is very easy for you, resign and get out of the way. We know that you have been forced by the Prime Minister, Amit Shah, Ajit Doval,” Rahul Gandhi saidThe former Congress president also questioned why Kumar had not resigned, claiming that the opposition was receiving information from several sources.“Why is all this happening? Because we are only asking the question raised by two Election Commissioners: why is Gyanesh Kumar not resigning? These days, we are receiving information from everywhere. Gyanesh Kumar, we know your situation. We know you are unable to sleep at night, and do not worry, we will not spare you. I am telling you directly that you will not escape as Election Commissioner because of what is happening.“Rahul also accused the Centre of turning Delhi into a fortress to protect the CEC, as INDIA bloc leaders prepared to march towards the Supreme Court to demand Kumar’s removal over alleged “vote chori” and concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.He said a public movement against alleged electoral irregularities had been under way in Delhi for the past four to five days, with protesters demanding Kumar’s removal.“Since last 4-5 days, public movement is on in Delhi against ‘vote chori’, seeking CEC removal,” the Raebareli MP said.Referring to the police action during the October 10 protests, Rahul alleged that authorities were preventing people from reaching the national capital by stopping trains and buses and forcing passengers to get off.“People are being stopped from reaching Delhi. Trains and buses are being stopped, and people are being made to get off. Delhi has been turned into a fortress, with 20,000 to 30,000 police personnel deployed everywhere. Now, think about how powerful this is. But our strategy is different,” the former Congress chief said.Questioning the security arrangements, Rahul accused the government of making a “grave mistake” by protecting Kumar. He argued that the heavy police deployment would only help the opposition draw attention to its allegations against the CEC and the Centre.“We want 20,000 to 30,000 police personnel deployed on the streets. The government is committing a grave mistake, because we want to show the country that Modi ji wants to ensure the security of Gyanesh Kumar… The more he is protected, the more we will ultimately reach his controller… We are receiving reports that police personnel are distressed because they are being ordered to beat up young people, while instructions are being issued to give RSS members a free hand.“Rahul further claimed that some police personnel supported the opposition’s campaign and wanted it to continue.“I am happy to tell you that 50% of the police personnel, and I am counting them, are telling us that what you are doing is right and that we should continue…”
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He also alleged that security personnel and ordinary citizens were increasingly opposed to the government’s handling of the protests.“Police, ITBP, CRPF, the people of India are on one side and Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Ajit Doval, Gyanesh Kumar, and 4-5 members of the Election Commission who are facilitating ‘vote chori’ and hijacking the country are on the other side. We are increasing this divide…”Rahul said the opposition’s resistance had been building for years and was now taking a more concrete form.“There was resistance from 12 years but it is getting crystallised now,” he said.He also announced that INDIA bloc leaders would approach the Supreme Court on Monday with a petition against the CEC over alleged “vote chori”.The press conference came ahead of the INDIA bloc’s planned march to the Supreme Court, with opposition leaders seeking Kumar’s removal amid mounting criticism of the SIR exercise.
