Agra (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 18 : Congress workers held a protest on Monday outside the residence of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Agra over allegations of vote theft against BJP and the Election Commission of India.
The protestors were carrying posters that read, "Gyanesh Kumar, vote chor", "Leave Agra" and "Gyanesh Kumar, Senior BJP Leader"
Meanwhile, the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) leaders continued their protest today in Parliament premises against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar.
The protests have continued despite the Election Commission clarifying on the allegations on Sunday, while also asking Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to submit a signed affidavit with proof of his claims of election rigging.
MPs including Mallikarjun Kharge, Akhilesh Yadav, Abhishek Banerjee, Kanimozhi and others, protested against the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar and allegations of 'vote chori' against the BJP and the Election Commission of India.
The opposition parties have been protesting against the revision of voter lists since the commencement of the Parliament monsoon session on July 21, with the treasury benches accusing the Opposition of disrupting Parliament proceedings.
Terming the ongoing SIR exercise as 'Silent Invisible Rigging' of votes, INDIA bloc leaders held banners calling for the stop of 'Vote chori.'
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju called on Congress and other opposition parties to refrain from creating disruptions in Parliament over issues related to the Election Commission. Addressing a press conference, Rijiju stated that any disputes between the Election Commission and political parties should be discussed directly with the EC, and not in the Parliament.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi continued his 16-day long 'Voter Adhikar rally' in Bihar. The Congress leader reached Aurangabad earlier today to start the second day of the rally.
The rally is a campaign led by the Congress leader and other INDIA bloc leaders to raise awareness about voter rights and protest against alleged "vote theft" and alleged irregularities in the SIR of the electoral rolls.
In a social media post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "'16 days 20+ districts 1,300+ km We are coming among the people with the Voter Adhikaar Yatra. This is the fight to protect the most fundamental democratic right - 'one person, one vote.' Join us in Bihar to save the Constitution."
Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of Mahagathbandhan will visit Punama Wazirganj, Gaya, to Barbiga via Nawada on August 19.