The INDIA bloc will hold district-level 'Save Democracy' marches from October 2 to 8, and all Opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission on October 6, as the alliance announced a four-point programme of protest against the poll body.
Addressing a press conference after the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi on Wednesday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the programme would also include a meeting of the Leaders of the Opposition with the President of India and five big rallies. He said the leaders would highlight the problems created by a government that he claimed was formed through "vote chori".
Kharge said the discussion continued for at least three to three-and-a-half hours and that everyone took part. He added that Uddhav Thackeray and Hemant Soren joined online. "I am happy that everyone unanimously agreed to fight together, unitedly and strongly," he said.
Four-point programme
Kharge said the bloc would hold district-level 'Save Democracy' marches and stage demonstrations outside the offices of every District Magistrate from October 2 to 8. "We will also make people aware of why we are undertaking this campaign," he said.
On October 6, all Opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission. Kharge said the leaders had wanted to go on Wednesday itself, but decided to call the MPs again and organise the protest properly. "All Rajya Sabha members and Members of Parliament, irrespective of which party they belong to, and those who want to protect democracy in the country, will be invited to join this march," he said.
The third programme is a meeting with the President. Kharge said the Leaders of the Opposition would seek an appointment with the President in the second week of October. They will submit a representation on the difficulties they are facing and the constitutional hurdles involved.
The fourth programme will include five big rallies. Kharge said the dates and venues would be decided and communicated to everyone.
Rahul Gandhi on INDIA bloc's commitment
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said all Opposition leaders were collective defenders of India's Constitution and would bring serious changes in the country. He said the INDIA bloc would ensure that those who had destroyed Indian democracy were punished.
"It is the personal commitment of all INDIA leaders that we are going to ensure that the people who have destroyed Indian democracy are punished," Gandhi said after the meeting. "It doesn't matter how senior they are, who they are; Indian democracy is bigger than every single person in this country."
