The Election Commission of India (ECI) has granted an appointment to Congress leader and MP Jairam Ramesh for an “interaction” with leaders of certain political parties at 12 pm on Monday.
The ECI’s letter confirmed the meeting was scheduled in response to Ramesh’s request made “on behalf of certain political parties.” Due to space constraints, the Commission has asked for the names and vehicle details of 30 attendees.
The agenda of the meeting has not been disclosed.
Background: Opposition Plans Protest March
The appointment coincides with plans by hundreds of opposition MPs to march from Parliament to the ECI headquarters in Delhi to protest alleged “vote theft” in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, a claim made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
Delhi Police officials, however, have indicated that no formal request for permission to march has been received and such a gathering is unlikely to be allowed.
Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations
Gandhi alleged last week that over 100,000 votes were “stolen” in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura assembly segment in Bangalore Central constituency through five types of manipulation, benefiting the BJP. He accused the ECI of collusion with the ruling party.
The ECI responded by asking Gandhi to submit a signed declaration under oath. Gandhi refused on Friday, stating that he had already sworn an oath on the Constitution in Parliament.
