On Wednesday it was Sagar Ratna, on Thursday it is Moet’s, another well-known Delhi eatery. On day three, the Opposition’s appetite for protest seems only to be growing.
In anticipation of a replay of Wednesday’s protests, the Delhi Police has heightened security in Central Delhi and around the Election Commission headquarters.
Earlier reporting noted: INDIA bloc leaders have announced a lunch at Moets restaurant in Connaught Place before the protest. Earlier reporting noted: The Indian Youth Congress has already announced a march from the Rajghat area. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is hosting INDIA bloc MPs for lunch today at Moets in Connaught Place. And like yesterday, there are buses parked outside the restaurant to ferry the MPs post lunch. The Opposition MPs have also got an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu on Friday. Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for allegedly assaulting police personnel and obstructing government work during their protest here, police sources said on Thursday. Earlier reporting noted: On Wednesday, the INDIA bloc had gathered for a lunch at Sagar Ratna at Janpath.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Kharge, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee are likely to be part of the Opposition’s delegation. The second day of Congress protests saw several dramatic moments in the nearly three-hour-long bus procession and an impromptu sit-in at the roundabout in front of the Shangri-La hotel when the Opposition MPs were stopped by security personnel, with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lying flat on her back on the street, clutching a copy of the Constitution, along with other women leaders. Besides several Congress leaders, the FIR has been filed against party workers who took part in the protest. After the lunch, the MPs took three buses in a bid to reach Jantar Mantar but were stopped near Le Meridien hotel. The protest led to clashes between the protesters and the police. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
The INDIA bloc had sought a meeting with the President for 15 MPs to petition against the poll panel. Rashtrapati Bhavan has, however, agreed to a delegation of 10 MPs to meet on Friday. The Opposition’s attack on the Chief Election Commissioner comes following an Indian Express report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected on record at least 14 times over the past 10 months to decisions and orders on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process that they said were issued without their knowledge or recommendation.
Security changes were made based on the current threat perception, sources said. Police are examining the allegations and the role of those involved, the sources said. Soon after the announcement, the Delhi Police sent two teams to K block of CP to secure the area and restaurant, officials aware of the details said. The police said security forces have also been sent there with local staff. A senior police officer said it was not immediately clear if the leaders will go to Rajghat or head to Jantar Mantar.
