Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi detained during INDIA bloc march to EC
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other INDIA bloc leaders were detained on Tuesday while marching towards the Election Commission (EC) headquarters, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Security was tightened across New Delhi, with more than five companies of paramilitary personnel and local police deployed along the route from Makar Dwar of Parliament to the EC office. The protesting MPs were stopped by police, following which they staged a dharna. After a brief face-off with security personnel, the leaders were removed from the spot and taken away in buses.
Rahul Gandhi was joined by Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Gandhi carried a poster reading, “Gyanesh, it’s done bro!”, which he also posted on X with the message, “It’s time to resign.”
Around 140 Opposition MPs were expected to participate in the march. Multi-layered barricading was placed outside the EC headquarters and around Jantar Mantar. Police said prohibitory orders under Section 163 remain in force in the district and gatherings are not permitted.
The INDIA bloc had announced a joint action plan on October 1, including nationwide protests, the march to the EC headquarters and a mega rally in Delhi on November 1. The plan was finalised at a meeting attended by leaders of 19 parties and Independent MP Kapil Sibal.
The New Delhi district has witnessed repeated protests over electoral rolls since October 2. Police have registered nine FIRs in connection with protests near Jantar Mantar over the past five days, including cases related to violation of prohibitory orders, rioting and attacks on police personnel. Eighteen people have been arrested, while more than 300 were detained and later released.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has also called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding Kumar’s resignation.
