NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday levelled big charge against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the Narendra Modi-led Centre during a press conference. In a major claim, Rahul said around 200 government officials were in touch with the opposition and sharing information, including officials from the ED, CBI and the foreign ministry.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, Rahul also claimed that he had been “getting messages” from Gyanesh Kumar.The former Congress president said, “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.”He also accused the Centre of turning Delhi into a fortress to protect the poll body chief, as INDIA bloc leaders prepared to march towards the Supreme Court demanding Kumar’s removal over the alleged “vote chori” and concerns surrounding the SIR exercise.Rahul said a public movement against alleged “vote chori” had been under way in Delhi for the past four to five days, with protesters demanding Kumar’s removal. He alleged that authorities were preventing people from reaching the national capital by stopping trains and buses and forcing passengers to get off.“Since last 4-5 days, public movement is on in Delhi against ‘vote chori’, seeking CEC removal,” the Raebareli MP said.He also reflected on the recent action taken by Centre on October 10 despite Supreme Court’s directive.“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,” former Congress chief said.Questioning the Centre’s security arrangements, Rahul said the government was making a “grave mistake by protecting” Kumar, arguing that the deployment would help the opposition draw attention to its allegations against the poll body and the government.He said: “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 also 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…”Drawing a sharp political divide, Rahul alleged that, “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.
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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 “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.
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