New Delhi [India], October 9 (ANI): Opposition leaders on Friday alleged restrictions on democratic protests in Delhi and raised concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI), as they prepared to meet President Droupadi Murmu to discuss the issue.
Congress MP KC Venugopal, who arrived at Parliament, said the opposition would continue its agitation and accused the government of acting in a dictatorial manner.
“Whatever course of action we decide on, we will let you know. As we said yesterday, we will continue the agitation. We will continue with our decision until the day after tomorrow,” Venugopal told reporters here.
Alleging restrictions on public transport and movement in the national capital, he said, “An undeclared emergency is in force in Delhi. All trains and metro stations have been stopped. The government is completely scared.”
“In a democratic country, there will be agitations and processions. The government has to deal with agitations and processions accordingly. However, this government is acting in a completely dictatorial manner,” he added.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also arrived at Parliament, said opposition leaders would decide their future course of action after holding discussions.
“We will all sit together and then let you know the future course of action,” she said.
Banerjee also expressed concern over the cancellation of trains, including the Rajdhani Express from Kolkata, and said students and young people were facing difficulties.
“It is very unfortunate that trains have been cancelled. Even from Kolkata, trains have been cancelled, including the Rajdhani Express. The students and youth are really facing a crisis,” she said.
Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said the opposition hoped President Murmu would hear its concerns and protect citizens from what she described as excesses.
“We hope that the President will grace us with her presence and protect the citizens from these excesses. We will decide our next course of action after that,” Chowdhury said.
Criticising the government's handling of the situation, she alleged that the measures had caused unnecessary expenditure and inconvenience to the public.
“This simply demonstrates a lack of governmental experience and a disconnect from the people. Why go to such lengths—incurring huge expenses, causing massive inconvenience to the public, and bringing in police forces from other states? Why do all this? You could have simply sat down, invited people for talks, come to Parliament, and provided answers,” she said.
“There are countless ways to engage; you are willing to negotiate with terrorists, yet you refuse to communicate with your own countrymen,” she added.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also arrived at Parliament as opposition leaders prepared for their meeting with the President.
The proposed meeting comes amid the opposition's concerns regarding the functioning of the Election Commission and its ongoing agitation over the issue.
On Thursday, INDIA bloc members visited Raj Ghat, as protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar entered their third consecutive day in the national capital.
Opposition leaders have been demanding his resignation, alleging irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission and BJP have rejected the Opposition's allegations. (ANI)
"Undeclared emergency in Delhi": Venugopal as Oppn MPs prepare to meet President Murmu amid protests against ECI
