Opposition may seek FIRs against those without immunity

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi Wednesday told INDIA bloc members that the country will, 10-15 years later, remember them as those who saved the Constitution and democracy.

NEW DELHI: Seeking to get around the 2023 law shielding CEC Gyanesh Kumar and two ECs, opposition may seek FIRs against ECI functionaries not covered by immunity provisions, keeping the watchdog in its sights for allegedly "hijacking democracy".

The opposition has decided to implead in the Supreme Court in the ongoing challenge to the 2023 Act. The manoeuvre will come even as the India bloc will mount pressure for repeal of the immunity law.Congress MP Rahul Gandhi Wednesday told INDIA bloc members that the country will, 10-15 years later, remember them as those who saved the Constitution and democracy. He said BJP's ruling system is falling apart and more govt "exposure" will happen in the next 6-8 months.

He said "collective resistance" is required to give one more push to the system.As the mood in the meeting was for agitation, suggestions were for marches and dharnas, but CPI-ML's Dipankar Bhattacharya stressed the need to hit the iron hot. He advocated a six-day action plan starting Oct 2, and the proposal was adopted.

Crediting opposition unity in fighting "vote chori", Rahul said parties should not lose sight of the national perspective - like Congress fighting the Left in Kerala but being together in Delhi.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said Rahul Gandhi can be "PM" and she has no ego on this issue. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge rebutted that the fight is to save democracy, not for the PM's post. SP MP Harendra Malik urged Congress, as "elder brother", to make sacrifices over UP seat-sharing. He said regional parties can stall BJP's march. Uddhav Thackeray urged Congress to hold agitation with allies.A few parties complained of delay by Congress in convening the INDIA meeting after the last one on June 8. Members stressed the need for a "coordination committee".Tamil Nadu representatives pointed to the absence of DMK, but Congress brass said it was in touch with the former ally. Sibal warned "delimitation" would be an issue.