INDIA Bloc March Is Against Institution, Not Individual: Himachal CM Sukhu Defends Protest

Speaking amid the opposition’s protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI) and its demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Sukhu said the opposition had a responsibility to raise concerns about the functioning of constitutional institutions.

“In a democracy, it is the responsibility of the opposition to raise its voice strongly, and Rahul Gandhi has done so,” Sukhu said, adding that the Congress was attempting to take its concerns to constitutional institutions.

He alleged that efforts were being made to undermine a democratic system that had remained strong for decades and reiterated the opposition’s charge that electoral irregularities were being used to gain political power.

“This is not against any individual, but against an institution for which Congress leaders sacrificed their lives to ensure that democracy prevails in the country,” he said.

Sukhu claimed that Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had raised concerns about alleged vote theft two years ago and said subsequent developments had lent weight to those concerns.

The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister also accused the authorities of attempting to suppress public dissent, citing alleged disruptions affecting railway stations and internet services. He maintained that public opposition could not be silenced.

Sukhu said the Congress and the All India Congress Committee were making efforts to secure a meeting with the Supreme Court to raise their concerns over the electoral process.

Describing the protest as a fight to protect democracy, he said the opposition wanted constitutional institutions to address its allegations.

Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, meanwhile, said people from across the state were reaching Delhi in response to Rahul Gandhi’s call for the march and were determined to proceed towards the Supreme Court.