NEW DELHI: Congress neta Rahul Gandhi Monday told CEC Gyanesh Kumar that he could be forgiven for making a “mistake” if he resigned, telling him that the opposition is after the bigger powers behind him.Addressing a news conf­erence, Rahul said, “Resign, turn approver. You have made a mistake, but you are not the mind behind the mistake.” Rahul warned Kumar that he will not be able to survive as the CEC, and that the opposition has details of his past record. He accused “five criminals” of attacking India’s democracy. Asked if the CEC has reached out to him, Rahul said, “I get messages and he is watching (the press conference).”Rahul said that 200 officers of the Modi govt — from CBI to MEA — are “in touch” with Congress, and providing it information. Referring to his Friday statement that the President agreed with the opposition delegation’s charge of “vote chori”, Rahul said there was no denial from the President’s office, even though it was “quietly done from the PMO”.“Even the President knows what is going on … We are excited about giving the evidence to the President (as asked by her) about what Modi and others are doing.” The LoP said the agitation would not stop even if it takes weeks and months to reach its destination. He counselled “perseverance” to opposition and youth both.Amid the massive security deployment, Rahul asked why is “Delhi in jail”. He said the Modi govt is falling deeper into the opposition trap by conveying to the country that it is resorting to repress­ion just to protect the CEC. Playing videos of protest beatings, he said the Delhi Police, CRPF and ITBP are also “disturbed” at being asked to beat up patriotic youth while also being told to let saffron goons roam freely and har­a­ss protestors, including women.

Using Hindu metaphors to issue an open invite to citizens and politicians, Rahul said the present agitation is “Shivji’s baraat” that anyone can join, and that it is sp­ontaneous and not planned like “Shiv’s Tandav”. At the same time, he said “all protests are one”, in a reference to CJP and other outfits.