At least 200 central government officials are in regular touch with us, claims Rahul Gandhi

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday claimed that at least 200 officials working in different parts of the central government are in regular contact with him. Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, he said information was reaching him from departments including the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Ministry of External Affairs.

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Claim about contact with officials

Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi said officials from the Prime Minister’s government were maintaining contact with the opposition. He claimed that updates were coming from several departments, including the ED, CBI and the external affairs ministry.

Claim about police support

Rahul Gandhi also claimed that 50% of police personnel believe the opposition is doing the right thing and should continue its activities. He said the police, ITBP, CRPF and the people of the country were on one side. He made a sarcastic reference to deploying 20,000–30,000 police personnel to protect Gyanesh Kumar.

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Protests over vote theft allegations

His remarks came in the context of protests by the INDIA bloc and the Kakroach Janata Party against Gyanesh Kumar. The protests relate to allegations of vote theft and claims of police repression during the programme. Rahul Gandhi alleged that Delhi had been turned into a jail even as a peaceful movement continued.

Opposition to the Election Commission

Rahul Gandhi said political parties and non-political student gatherings were raising their voices against the Election Commission. He also claimed that anger building up among people over the past 12 years was beginning to take a consolidated form. His remarks included a reference to Saturday’s protest.