Bengaluru: Leaders of the INDIA bloc have announced a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on 5 November against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that constitutional institutions are being misused to undermine democracy.
Addressing a press conference at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office on Tuesday, state Congress chief B K Hariprasad said the demonstration would be part of the INDIA bloc's nationwide agitation against the SIR exercise and its demand for the CEC's resignation.
"The November 5 protest at Freedom Park is a continuation of the agitation organised by the INDIA bloc at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on November 1 against the Special Intensive Revision process and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar," Hariprasad said.
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He said INDIA bloc leaders had decided to intensify the campaign across the country, extending it to taluk and block levels.
"In Karnataka, we have decided to begin with a state-level protest in Bengaluru, followed by demonstrations at the district and taluk levels," he said.
Alleging that the BJP and RSS were attempting to undermine democracy by misusing constitutional institutions, Hariprasad said the agitation would continue until Gyanesh Kumar resigned.
"The fight will continue until the CEC steps down. After the state-level protest, we will take the agitation to the district and taluk levels," he added.
CPI(M) state secretary K Prakash said the INDIA bloc was demanding the withdrawal of the SIR exercise, the CEC's resignation and changes to the process of appointing the Chief Election Commissioner.
"Our demands include scrapping the SIR exercise, ensuring the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar and making the appointment process of the CEC democratic. The selection process should be conducted in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court," he said.
Prakash also called for the withdrawal of the law granting permanent immunity to the CEC.
"These are our key demands, and we are taking to the streets on November 5 to press for them," he said.
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He said the agitation would subsequently be extended to districts and taluks across Karnataka, with all INDIA bloc constituents participating.
"Safeguarding democracy is our responsibility. The INDIA bloc has decided to take this movement forward on a wider scale," he said.
Prakash further alleged that the BJP was attempting to turn India into an authoritarian state and establish a communal Hindutva nation.
"We want to send a clear message that there is no place in this country for attempts to transform India into an authoritarian state or build a communal Hindutva nation," he said.
CPI leader Saathi Sundaresh, Forward Bloc's Mahantesh Shivashankar and Ali, and CPI(ML) leader Clifton D'Rozario were among those present at the press conference.
