'Attempt to Replace Democracy': Says CM Fadnavis on Protest Against CEC

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the protest in Delhi was an attempt to "create a perception" among people that institutions established by the Constitution were "ineffective", alleging that “extremely radical left-wing elements” were seeking to "replace" democracy.

“This is an attempt to create a perception in people’s minds that the institutions established by the Constitution are ineffective. This programme is being carried out with the intention of rejecting the Constitution. It is an attempt by extremely radical left-wing elements to replace democracy,” Fadnavis said.

Reacting to allegations by the Mumbai Congress against the police, the Maharashtra Chief Minister termed them “completely false".

“This is a completely false allegation. The Mumbai Police are professional and they do not stop anyone,” Fadnavis said.

"The students discussed the matter with me over the phone. The office-bearers of NSUI are attempting to ensure that the agitation does not end.The students’ issues are genuine and the government is positive about addressing them. If someone is doing politics for their own leader, they will be answered politically".

"We could not reach a consensus in Pune, so further discussions will be held."

Leaders of several INDIA bloc parties have participated in the march and raised their concerns. The protest is part of a broader "Save Democracy" campaign announced by the Opposition, under which its leaders have been holding demonstrations and public programmes against the EC.

The fresh controversy stems from news report, which claimed that two of the Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, raised 14 objections during the SIR exercise. The ECI has maintained that the decisions were unanimous.

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