New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has once again launched a sharp attack on the Central government and the Election Commission, alleging that the country’s electoral process is being undermined and democratic institutions are being weakened.

Speaking from the Akashvani Bhawan premises in the presence of opposition MPs, Rahul Gandhi questioned Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over what he described as his reluctance to meet opposition MPs and respond to their questions.

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the entire country knows that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and CEC Gyanesh Kumar have together “destroyed” the electoral process. He said the opposition was fighting to protect democracy and the Constitution.

He said nearly 300 opposition MPs wanted to meet the Election Commission and raise questions concerning the elections in West Bengal, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Rahul Gandhi said that if there had been no wrongdoing in the elections, there should be no reason for the Election Commission to refuse to meet elected representatives.

‘We are trying to protect the Constitution and democracy’

Rahul Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah had taken control of the country’s democratic system. He said the opposition was making efforts to protect the Constitution and democracy.

He further said the opposition would not spare anyone involved in weakening the country’s democratic institutions. Targeting CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner was “afraid” to meet the nearly 300 MPs gathered outside Nirvachan Sadan.

Rahul Gandhi said opposition MPs are elected representatives of the people and only want to ask questions of the Election Commission. He questioned what would happen to Indian democracy if constitutional authorities refused to engage with elected representatives.

‘Tell me where I can sit’

Rahul Gandhi also spoke about being stopped by police at the Akashvani Bhawan premises. He said he had earlier been removed from one location and was now being prevented from sitting at another place.

He said he had politely asked the police that if they wanted him to leave, they could remove him, but they should tell him where he was allowed to sit.

“Can I sit at India Gate? Can I sit at Jantar Mantar? Can I sit on the road?” Rahul Gandhi asked, adding that he only wanted the police to identify a place where he could sit peacefully.

‘Why were 300 MPs stopped?’

Earlier, speaking to reporters, Rahul Gandhi said nearly 300 MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had come to meet Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and his two colleagues at Nirvachan Sadan.

He alleged that the police stopped the opposition MPs from proceeding to the Election Commission office and subsequently made them sit near Akashvani Bhawan.

Rahul Gandhi said the MPs were representatives of the people and represented the voice of the country. He questioned why around 300 MPs were stopped from reaching the Election Commission when its office was only a short distance away.

He reiterated that the opposition would continue to raise its voice against anyone involved in weakening democratic institutions.

Ravi Shankar Prasad hits back, accuses Rahul Gandhi of creating chaos

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad hit back at Rahul Gandhi’s allegations and accused him of attempting to create chaos in the country.

Prasad said Rahul Gandhi was sitting in one of Delhi’s sensitive areas and trying to create disorder. He also alleged that Rahul Gandhi, the Congress president and other opposition leaders were demanding the return of ballot papers.

The BJP leader claimed that the opposition was demanding a return to ballot papers because it could not win elections using electronic voting technology. He further alleged that bringing back ballot papers could reopen the possibility of electoral malpractices such as booth capturing.

The Election Commission’s response to the allegations made by Rahul Gandhi and the counter-allegations made by the BJP was not included in the statements cited above.