They demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Leaders and workers of the INDIA bloc, mainly from the Congress, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), staged a joint protest at the Congress headquarters on MA Road in Srinagar on Saturday, in a sharp escalation of the national “Vote Chori” campaign.
Congress, NC and PDP leaders and cadres gathered at the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters. They attempted a street march but were stopped at the gates by security forces. Slogans against the CEC, the BJP-led Centre and alleged electoral manipulation filled the air.
“Remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar or countrywide agitation over crores of deleted votes will continue,” the INDIA bloc announced.
Opposition leaders have repeatedly alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process was weaponised. They claim it enjoyed political patronage from the highest levels of the central government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Terming it an unprecedented assault on electoral fairness, the opposition has labelled the move “vote theft”.
Opposition leaders, however, described the barricading as an attempt to suppress democracy.
Security forces said the barricades were needed to maintain law and order.
He added: “Until the CEC does not step down and an independent enquiry is ordered as the names in this unconstitutional act is coming of PM Modi and Home minister Amit Shah, till then we will keep agitation. These are:
Congress leader Dr Waleed Kara said, “The SIR process has raised fundamental questions about democratic fairness, the right to vote of genuine electors, and the need for accountability of those overseeing the revisions. The INDIA bloc said peaceful protests would intensify and expand until its demands are met.
