Congress Says Mock CEC Proceeding Blocked at Delhi Venues

Congress says its proposed October 30 symbolic proceeding against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was blocked at two Delhi venues, while police say permission remains in place for a separate November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan. Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal alleged that Ashoka Hotel initially agreed to host the event but withdrew permission after police intervention. He also said the INDIA bloc had sought to hold the programme at Ramlila Maidan and that preparations there were stopped. The allegations have not been confirmed by the hotel or by a written police decision on the October 30 event. Delhi Police sources said the permission for the November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan had not been withdrawn. Police said a no-objection certificate covered the venue booking from October 25 through November 3, and that Ashoka Hotel, as private property, decides whether to host the proposed event. The approval for the rally does not establish whether the separate October 30 programme was authorized at the same site. Venugopal said about 21 INDIA bloc parties planned to participate in the campaign, including a mock proceeding against Kumar. The proposed programme was...