Lok Sabha polls: Priyanka Gandhi reads out INDIA bloc’s five demands to Election Commission at mega rally

With Lok Sabha elections drawing closer, the opposition INDIA alliance listed out its five demands at the ‘Loktantra Bachao Rally’ in New Delhi on Sunday (Mar 31) stating that the Election Commission of India should ensure fairplay during the polls for all parties.

The bloc exuded confidence while asserting that despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) creating “undemocratic obstacles”, the alliance will keep making dedicated efforts to win the polls and save the country’s democracy.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra read out the demands and called for the poll panel to bar the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax department’s actions against opposition parties, which she claimed were deliberately taken to impact the elections negatively.

She further demanded the immediate release of former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

5 demands of INDIA alliance

1. The Election Commission should ensure a level playing field in Lok Sabha elections

2. The Election Commission should stop action taken by investigative agencies against opposition parties with the aim of rigging elections

3. Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal should be released immediately

4. The coercive action of financially strangling opposition political parties during elections must stop immediately

5. A Supreme Court-monitored SIT must be formed to investigate allegations of vendetta, extortion and money laundering by the BJP using election funds

In her remarks before reading out the INDIA bloc’s demands, she said, “I have been coming to Ramlila Maidan since childhood. Every year Ravan’s effigy is set on fire.”

“When I was a kid, I used to come (here) with my grandmother Indira Ji and she used to narrate the Ramayana to me. Those in power today call themselves Ram Bhakts. When I was sitting here I thought that I should say something to them. I want to remind them of the 1,000-year-old tale and its message,” she said.

“When Lord Ram fought for truth, he did not have power, resources or even a chariot. Ravan had chariots, resources, army and gold but Lord Ram had truth, hope, belief, love, kindness, modesty, patience, courage and truth. I want to tell those in power and PM Narendra Modi that the message of Lord Ram’s life is that power is not permanent… and arrogance gets shattered,” sheadded.

(With inputs from agencies)