INDIA Bloc March in Delhi Today: 19 Parties, 250 MPs to Protest Against CEC Over SIR

New Delhi: 'Save Democracy March' of INDIA alliance is being taken out in Delhi today in protest against SIR and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. About 19 opposition parties including Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, NCP will participate in this march. Opposition MPs will march about 3 kilometres from Parliament House to the Election Commission Headquarters. Many big leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee and Priyanka Gandhi will lead the march.

Claim of participation of more than 250 MPs?

Congress MP Manikam Tagore has claimed that more than 250 MPs from the INDIA alliance will join the march. He has also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The alliance says that it is registering its objection regarding the Special Intensive Revision or SIR of the voter list.

What are the security arrangements in Delhi?

In view of the march, Delhi Police has increased security around Parliament House, Vijay Chowk, All India Radio, Sansad Marg and the Election Commission office. Barricading has been done at many places and RAF has also been deployed. Police have issued advisories to regulate and divert traffic.

Which parties will participate in the march?

Many parties including Congress, Samajwadi Party, TMC, RJD, NCP(SP), PDP, Left parties, UBT, JMM, MDMK, VCK, IUML and JKNC are said to participate in the march. However, DMK and AAP have maintained distance since March.

Voting begins on 6 seats in by-elections?

Voting started at 7 am for the by-elections in Nagaon Lok Sabha seat of Assam, Nandigram and Rejinagar of West Bengal, Madurantakam and Dharapuram of Tamil Nadu and Thatnachavady Assembly seat of Puducherry. Voting will continue till 5 pm.

How much voting in Nandigram and Rejinagar?

Till 9 am, 20.89% voting was recorded in Nandigram seat of West Bengal and 18.05% voting was recorded in Rejinagar seat. There is also news of MLA Humayun Kabir being detained during voting in Rejinagar. He had alleged irregularities in the voting process.

Will Akhilesh Yadav not field a third candidate?

Akhilesh Yadav has left for Delhi this morning. He is likely to join the INDIA alliance's march. Meanwhile, his social media posts regarding the Rajya Sabha elections have indicated that the Samajwadi Party may not field a third candidate. SP has declared two candidates so far, while BJP has announced the names of eight candidates.