SIR row: Rahul Gandhi says ‘goal is to have 100 FIRs’ as Opposition plans Jantar Mantar march

Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi boards a bus carrying INDIA bloc MPs to Jantar Mantar for a sit-in protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, in New Delhi, on Wednesday. PIC/PTI

Opposition parties are set to march towards Jantar Mantar on Wednesday to protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a day after a day-long demonstration in Delhi culminated in the detention of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, news agency ANI reported.

The march follows a meeting of opposition leaders chaired by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, during which they discussed their next course of action and drafted a letter to the CEC seeking an urgent meeting with opposition leaders over issues related to the SIR.

Rahul Gandhi said the Opposition had decided to shift its protest to Jantar Mantar after being told that it could not demonstrate at the earlier location.

"Yesterday, they said we cannot protest there, so we are taking the protest to Jantar Mantar... Gyanesh Kumar will have to resign. I want 100 FIRs on me, every FIR is a medal," Gandhi said.

TMC MP Derek O'Brien said the opposition was united in its campaign against the CEC.

"We are all here together; we are all here united, and we are all here without any egos. We will fight the giant till they are out," O'Brien said.

Opposition leaders refuse to back down amid FIRs and Rahul Gandhi detention

Heavy security forces were deployed at Nirvachan Sadan as opposition parties led a march on Tuesday. The previous day's protest culminated in the detention of Rahul Gandhi, an incident that opposition leaders said had further energised their campaign.

MP Karti Chidambaram said the events of the previous day, including Gandhi's detention, had successfully strengthened the opposition's message.

Congress MP Deepender Hooda said the Opposition would not be deterred by police cases.

"Are we going to be scared of an FIR? ...we have just come for lunch; we will have lunch. Our fight to save democracy and the Constitution will continue. I have received information that an FIR has been registered in which my name is also included. We are not going to be intimidated by an FIR," Hooda told reporters.

Earlier, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha struck a lighter note while speaking about the Opposition meeting.

"There will be a lunch; maybe there will also be a launch," Jha said.

Opposition intensifies SIR protest as AAP workers march towards Delhi CEO's office

The Opposition has stepped up its campaign against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR exercise. On Tuesday, opposition parties staged a day-long protest in the national capital, while parallel demonstrations were also held across states.

The Congress has signalled that the confrontation will continue until Gyanesh Kumar resigns, keeping pressure on the Election Commission amid the continuing dispute over the revision of electoral rolls.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers were stopped by police personnel at barricades on Wednesday while marching from the Sindhi Academy near Kashmere Gate towards the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office.

The AAP protesters alleged widespread "vote theft" as they attempted to reach the CEO's office.

(With ANI and PTI inputs)