New Delhi: BJP leader Sambit Patra on Saturday described the protest staged by the CJP in Delhi as a complete failure, alleging that its organisers had attempted to bring the capital to a standstill in the name of demonstration but had not succeeded. He also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of working with foreign forces to create unrest in the country, an allegation for which he did not offer evidence. Calling the episode a contest between democracy and those seeking to create disorder, Patra said democracy had prevailed.
Delhi Police detained hundreds of young protesters, along with several political leaders, who had gathered at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. Thousands of police personnel were deployed across central Delhi to prevent any disturbance.
Speaking at a press conference at the BJP headquarters, Patra also criticised remarks made by Rahul Gandhi on Friday, in which the Congress leader said President Droupadi Murmu had not responded to his allegations of “vote chori” (vote theft) during their meeting. Patra described Gandhi as a “useless leader.” He urged the public not to assume that the visuals of protest at Jantar Mantar on television and social media reflected the situation across the country, saying India remained peaceful and was progressing under good governance.
Patra alleged that the protest was intended to create difficulties for Delhi and the country, claiming that scuffles, mutual attacks and street brawls had taken place. He maintained that the demonstration ultimately fizzled out and that the situation in the capital remained under control.
The CJP had called the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It alleges that efforts are being made, under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, to alter names on the voter list, and that the other two Election Commissioners were sidelined when changes were made to Form 6, the form used to register as a voter. The Election Commission has maintained that major SIR decisions were taken by the Commission unanimously.