New Delhi, Oct 12: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on Monday, said INDIA bloc leaders would approach the Supreme Court and file a petition against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged “vote chori”, as he called on the poll chief to resign and turn approver.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters, Indira Bhawan, Gandhi alleged that Kumar had made a mistake but was not the person behind the larger conspiracy.
He urged the CEC to cooperate with the opposition and expose those he claimed were directing the actions.
“Resign, turn approver; you have made a mistake but you are not the mind behind the mistake,” Gandhi said.
The former Congress president said the opposition’s fight would continue despite resistance, adding that the movement could last days or even years.
He also claimed that around 200 government officers are in touch with the Opposition and sharing information with them.
The INDIA bloc had announced a “Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy” to the Supreme Court on Monday, with opposition leaders scheduled to assemble at the Connaught Place–Barakhamba Road junction at 1.30 pm.
The bloc earlier had planned to submit a memorandum to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, seeking action over its allegations against Kumar.
However, the CJI declined a request from Opposition leaders ahead of the proposed march.
Meanwhile, security was stepped up across the national capital ahead of the planned mobilisation, with more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed, officials said.
More than 120 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces were assisting the Delhi Police.
The New Delhi district was divided into 20 zones, with joint commissioners, deputy commissioners and additional deputy commissioners monitoring the situation.
Special commissioners overseeing various units were keeping a close watch on developments, while social media platforms were being monitored for attempts to mobilise protesters, officials said.
Separately, the Delhi Police denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and named three new locations for demonstrations - Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi.
According to an official order, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued the standing order on October 11.
The move came amid heightened security arrangements following calls for protests at Jantar Mantar.