Rahul Gandhi Says Opposition Unity Is Taking Shape Against BJP
Bdbusinessdaily.com – Rahul Gandhi says opposition unity against the BJP-led government is becoming more firmly organised after years of resistance. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on 12 October, the Congress leader said opposition parties would jointly approach the Supreme Court regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
“There was resistance for 12 years but it is getting crystallised now,” Gandhi said. His comments came as Congress and other parties in the INDIA bloc continued demonstrations over the voter-list revision exercise. The opposition has raised concerns about the process and said it has excluded 130 million voters.
Opposition plans Supreme Court petition
Gandhi said opposition parties were united in their criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He said the political divide was clear, with opposition parties on one side and the government and election authorities on the other.
“The opposition parties are on one side and PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on the other,” Gandhi said.
Rahul Gandhi says opposition unity will be reflected in a legal challenge before the Supreme Court. He said he and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had written to the Chief Justice of India, raising what they described as concerns about democratic processes and electoral fairness. According to Gandhi, the response from the Chief Justice was to file a petition and begin the legal process.
He said a meeting with the Chief Justice was not the central issue. Instead, he stressed that the INDIA bloc intended to use the court process to press its concerns over the electoral-roll revision. Gandhi said opposition leaders would move forward together with the planned petition.
Security tightened in Delhi during opposition protests
Gandhi also criticised the security arrangements in Delhi during the planned opposition march. He alleged that a large police deployment had been used to prevent protesters from gathering and said people were being stopped from travelling to the capital. He claimed that some passengers had been prevented from boarding trains and buses or had been asked to leave them.
“Why is Delhi turned into a prison? People are being stopped from reaching Delhi,” Gandhi said.
He said the security presence raised questions about how the Chief Election Commissioner was being protected. Gandhi called on Gyanesh Kumar to resign and “turn an approver”, alleging that the commissioner was not the principal decision-maker behind the actions being challenged by the opposition.
Delhi remained on high alert for a fourth consecutive day ahead of the march towards the Supreme Court. More than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the city, according to police officials. Security was strengthened at Delhi’s borders, railway stations, bus terminals and other locations regarded as sensitive.
Officials said police had increased vehicle checks at border points and expanded verification drives at hotels, guest houses, lodges and dharamshalas. More than 120 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces were assisting Delhi Police in managing the situation and maintaining law and order.
Police monitoring sensitive areas and online mobilisation
The New Delhi district was divided into 20 zones for monitoring during the protests. Joint commissioners, deputy commissioners and additional deputy commissioners were assigned to supervise developments on the ground, while special commissioners overseeing different units were also monitoring the situation.
Police officials said social media platforms were being watched for attempts to mobilise protesters. The measures formed part of the wider security operation introduced around the planned march and continuing political demonstrations in the capital.
Rahul Gandhi says opposition unity against the BJP is now moving from public protest towards a coordinated legal strategy. The proposed Supreme Court petition is expected to focus on the opposition’s objections to the SIR exercise and its concerns about the electoral rolls.
Frequently asked questions
What is the opposition planning to do?
Opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc plan to approach the Supreme Court over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Gandhi said they would file a petition after receiving a response from the Chief Justice of India.
Why are opposition parties protesting in Delhi?
The protests centre on the SIR exercise. Opposition parties have objected to the voter-list revision process and said it has excluded 130 million voters.
What security measures were reported in Delhi?
Authorities deployed more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel, increased checks at borders and transport hubs, and monitored sensitive locations and social media activity ahead of the planned march.
