Rahul Gandhi says President Murmu sought proof of ‘election chori’ after INDIA bloc submits memorandum against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

INDIA bloc leaders on Friday evening met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and handed over a memorandum against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged "vote chori" (vote theft), and demanded that elections be held through ballot papers instead of EVMs.

The delegation comprised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, NCP(SP)'s Supriya Sule, SP's Rajeev Rai, RJD's Manoj Jha, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan, CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby and CPI's D Raja. The leaders met the President to raise their concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission of India and to demand Kumar's resignation.

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Gandhi said he was shocked that the President did not deny the "election theft" charge and "accepted" what the opposition leaders stated. According to Kharge and Gandhi, the President sought proof of the alleged vote theft.

'President did not deny this fact'

Gandhi told reporters after the meeting that the opposition's memorandum to the President clearly stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Kumar have conspired to destroy Indian democracy, according to PTI.

He said the President in no way denied what the opposition said and did not question it. She accepted the opposition's statement and sought proof of "election chori", he said.

Gandhi said he had expected the President to deny that "vote chori" is taking place and to say that India has a free and fair election system. "I was shocked and I was stunned that the President of India accepted what we said," he said.

He said he told the President that proof of "election chori" is known to the country, as state after state has been "stolen". The INDIA bloc will hand over the evidence it has to her when she is ready to accept it, he said.

Gandhi said the entire country knows that votes are being stolen. He alleged that Modi is the architect of it, and that Shah and Kumar are its implementers. "The President of India did not deny this fact today," he said.

He also said the opposition leaders will meet Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday and hand over a memorandum to him as well.

'We are compiling evidence'

In a media briefing after the meeting, Kharge said the leaders had apprised the President of the agitation they launched four days ago over the alleged theft of votes. He said the contents of the memorandum would be circulated later.

Kharge said the leaders raised concerns about "vote chori" and what he called the serious mistakes made by Kumar. He alleged that votes are being stolen "right from his office".

He said the INDIA bloc leaders have sought a return to ballot papers instead of EVMs for future polls. "The President asked for evidence of 'vote chori' which we will provide," he said. He said the opposition is compiling the evidence and will submit it, along with all other information required.

Kharge also said the leaders told the President that Modi and Shah are intent on destroying the country's democracy.

According to Kharge, the President listened carefully and said she would look into the matter thoroughly, speak to those concerned and decide on the appropriate next steps. He said the opposition left satisfied.

'We represent more than 60 per cent of people'

TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee said the INDIA bloc is together and strong, and that she thought the meeting was positive. "We are together, we are very strong, we represent more than 60 pc of people," she said, according to PTI.

'This is what you call fear'

Carrying a big "Save Democracy" banner, INDIA bloc MPs marched from Parliament House to Vijay Chowk, where police stopped them behind barricades. The delegation, whose names had been sent to Rashtrapati Bhavan, then headed to meet the President.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the closure of metro stations while the leaders marched towards Rashtrapati Bhavan. "This is what you call fear," she said.

Delhi Police had asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to close entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from 9 pm on October 9, citing the proposed protests, according to a letter dated October 8.

Earlier, the INDIA bloc MPs met at the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan to deliberate on their strategy for the agitation against alleged "vote chori" and to press for Kumar's ouster. The meeting was attended by Kharge, Gandhi, Congress chief ministers D K Shivakumar of Karnataka and Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of Himachal Pradesh, Banerjee, Sule, Baby, Raja, SP's Rajeev Rai and Mohibullah Nadvi, and Independent MPs Kapil Sibal and Pappu Yadav, among others, according to PTI.

Addressing the MPs, Gandhi said there is a "much deeper problem" than Kumar and that it requires the termination of the current government. He said the opposition's protests have shaken the foundations of the government, which he said is now scared. He said this is something worth fighting for and dying for.

Gandhi said the CEC is only a "service provider" and has the gall to say he will not meet the elected representatives of the people. "If we continue to push the way we have in last three-four days, I guarantee this government will fall," he said.

On Thursday, the INDIA bloc leaders staged a sit-in at Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi's memorial, to highlight what they alleged was the "hijacking" of the country by Modi, Shah and the CEC through a criminal conspiracy of "vote chori". It was the third consecutive day of protests against the CEC, and the opposition leaders pledged to continue their agitation until he resigns, PTI reported.

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At a meeting on September 30, the INDIA bloc finalised a joint action plan over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including rallies and "save democracy" marches. Kharge said the opposition would seek an appointment with the President and make a representation in the second week of October. He said all parties had agreed that elections should be held through ballot papers.

The opposition has been demanding Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the SIR. Kumar is also facing allegations of bypassing his two colleagues to alter Form 6, a key document to register as a voter.