Live: Security beefed up outside EC headquarters ahead of INDIA bloc march

Ahead of the INDIA Bloc protest march to the Election Commission headquarters today, authorities have deployed Rapid Action Force personnel around the Akashvani area.

#WATCH | Delhi: Heavy presence of RAF (Rapid Action Force) personnel around Akashvani, ahead of INDIA bloc MPs' march to the Election Commission office today amid the CEC Gyanesh Kumar matter. https://t.co/Hpy04uCz2i

The Delhi Traffic Police has announced traffic regulations and diversions in Central Delhi from 8 am today in view of the INDIA bloc’s protest march to the Election Commission headquarters. The affected stretches include Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Parliament Street, Patel Chowk-GPO, Windsor Place-GPO, Ashoka Road and Jantar Mantar Road and adjoining areas.

Commuters have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel through these areas, expect barricading and congestion, and allow extra time for their journeys. The traffic police has also advised commuters to use the Delhi Metro or public transport wherever feasible and follow traffic personnel and signage.

Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy alleged that the Opposition was not calling Form 6 illegal but was questioning changes made to the form after Gyanesh Kumar took charge as Chief Election Commissioner. Speaking ahead of the INDIA bloc’s march, Reddy said the Opposition would demand immediate action against Kumar. He warned that if the Election Commission did not respond, “the people of this country have to react.”

#WATCH | Delhi: On INDIA Bloc's march to Nirvachan Sadan, Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy says, "We are not saying Form 6 is illegal. We are saying the Form 6 that existed before Gyanesh Kumar approved it for the changes. It clearly shows that they have an intention of looting the votes in this country... Today we are going to do our protest from Makardwar to the Election Commission of India with all the opposition parties and INDIA bloc MPs. We demand that immediate action be taken against Gyanesh Kumar... If they don't respond, the people of this country have to react..."

Security arrangements have been tightened in Delhi ahead of the proposed Opposition protest march. Authorities have increased security presence around Sansad Marg, the Election Commission headquarters and the Jantar Mantar area.

#WATCH | Delhi: Security arrangements have been tightened ahead of the proposed opposition protest. Morning visuals around Sansad Marg, the Election Commission office, Jantar Mantar area. https://t.co/EwdgZcX5ZN

Congress general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal confirmed that Opposition MPs will march from Parliament to the Election Commission headquarters at 10.30 am today. "Everything is prepared. We are asking the police not to stop us. Our aim is to have a peaceful demonstration to show the protest against the EC,” he told reporters last night.

On skipping the INDIA Bloc protest march to the Election Commission headquarters today, AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said protests against the SIR row are being held every day at different places, adding that his party sees this as a people's movement and is not even using its own banner for the campaign.

"The CJP's protest is also being held, and different organisations are also holding protests. The Left is also protesting in different places. As far as tomorrow's protest is concerned, it is the INDIA bloc's protest. So, the Aam Aadmi Party is not part of it. We are fighting this battle in our own way," the AAP MP told reporters on Monday.