New Delhi, October 8:
Trinamool Congress chief and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said she might participate in the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on October 10, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Banerjee said she would take a final decision on joining the demonstration later. Her statement came amid continuing protests by Opposition parties and civil society groups over alleged voter deletions and concerns about the transparency of the electoral-roll revision process.
The proposed demonstration is being organised by the CJP to press for the CEC’s resignation. The party and other participants have alleged that the SIR process could result in eligible voters being excluded from electoral rolls.
Banerjee was also expected to be part of a 10-member core group of INDIA bloc leaders scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu on Friday. The delegation plans to submit a memorandum raising concerns about alleged mass disenfranchisement and seeking action over the controversy surrounding the Election Commission.
The Opposition’s campaign has gathered momentum following protests in Delhi and Bengaluru. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those detained during demonstrations in the national capital, while the Bengaluru protest saw participation by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, actor-activist Prakash Raj and CJP founder Abhijit Dipke.
The controversy centres on the procedures used to verify electoral rolls, the removal of names and the availability of information to voters seeking to check their registration status. Opposition leaders have demanded greater transparency and accountability from the Election Commission.
Banerjee’s possible participation would bring another prominent Opposition leader into the campaign. However, as of Thursday, she had not confirmed that she would attend the October 10 protest.