INDIA bloc to write to CJI on SIR, demands Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation

The INDIA bloc on Monday (June 8) announced that it would write to the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission and the alleged “vote loot” issue.

The Opposition grouping also demanded the immediate resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak and CBSE examination issues. The announcement was made following a meeting of 25 Opposition leaders in Delhi.

Five-point agenda

Speaking to reporters, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Opposition leaders further demanded that the Centre convene an all-party meeting to discuss the "precarious current economic situation" in the country, besides unemployment, price rise, issues of farmers and oppressed sections of society.

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Elaborating further, Kharge said that the opposition grouping also decided to meet every two months, and the next meeting would be held in Hyderabad in August. He said the date would be fixed at a later date.

"A total of 25 parties participated in the INDIA bloc meeting, and all the leaders aired their views. We have expressed our agreement on five issues.

Letter to CJI planned

"It was agreed to send a letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) on SIR, vote loot and stealing of elections. The letter will be delivered to the CJI very soon," the Congress president told the media.

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He was flanked by Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee and other senior leaders of the grouping.

"It was unanimously agreed to demand the immediate resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan because he presided over the betrayal of lakhs of youth who appeared in the NEET and CBSE examinations," he said.

Economic concerns raised

Kharge also stated that the Union government should immediately call an all-party meeting to discuss the precarious economic situation, unemployment, price rise and farmers' issues, besides other issues, including atrocities on the oppressed sections of society.

"The INDIA bloc leaders decided to continue meeting for smooth coordination during the Monsoon session and as usual they would meet in the chamber of leader of opposition," he said.

Kharge said all the leaders aired their views freely, while Shiv Sena-UBT's Uddhav Thackeray and JMM's Hemant Soren joined the opposition meeting virtually.

(With agency inputs)