Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 11: In a dramatic show of defiance, senior leaders of the INDIA bloc — including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sagarika Ghose (TMC), and Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena-UBT) — were detained by Delhi Police on Monday as they led a protest march towards the Election Commission of India (ECI). The demonstration was aimed at opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls, and to highlight alleged “vote theft” during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The protest march, which began from Parliament, featured key figures from the Opposition alliance such as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and several other MPs. Chaos erupted when police intervened to block the procession, resulting in multiple detentions as leaders attempted to cross barricades.
In a bold moment captured on camera, Akhilesh Yadav jumped over a barricade while police tried to halt the protest. The situation grew tense as more MPs joined in breaching the security lines en route to the ECI office.
Addressing the media after his detention, Rahul Gandhi criticized the Election Commission’s silence:
"They refuse to speak — that’s the harsh truth. This protest is not about politics; it’s about defending the Constitution and the principle of ‘One person, one vote’. We are demanding an accurate and transparent voter list.”
Earlier, Yadav echoed similar concerns, alleging a pattern of electoral manipulation.
"This isn’t the first time we’re raising concerns about the ECI’s conduct. During the UP bypolls, police in plain clothes were seen pressuring voters for the BJP. In Milkipur, votes were outright stolen."
He also called out the Election Commission’s inaction against officers allegedly involved in malpractices.
“Had the Samajwadi Party been in power in UP, we would have taken strict action. We now expect the Congress government in Karnataka to act against corrupt officials.”
Congress MP Manickam Tagore added that the party had demanded a parliamentary debate on the issue, but the request was denied.
"Rahul Gandhi had presented detailed evidence of vote theft, yet the government refuses to discuss it in Parliament."
Pramod Tiwari, another Congress MP, framed the protest as a mission to safeguard democracy:
"Inspired by Gandhian values, our march is peaceful but determined. We believe the Election Commission must take a stand for democracy and the Constitution."
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi accused the ECI of operating hand-in-glove with the BJP, thereby violating citizens’ voting rights.
“Rahul Gandhi presented evidence directly from the Commission’s own data. Now the ECI demands an affidavit? This is not transparency, it’s obstruction.”
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jebi Mather emphasized the magnitude of the crisis:
“A 300-member opposition march to the ECI signals just how serious this issue is. The EC’s dismissive response only deepens concerns.”
Echoing stronger sentiments, independent MP Pappu Yadav called for radical accountability.
“The ECI is acting against the interests of democracy. The Lok Sabha should be dissolved, and the Supreme Court must intervene.”
SP MP Rajeev Kumar Rai concluded with a stark warning:
“Democracy is under siege. We cannot stand by as our voices are stifled, and elections become a mockery.”
The INDIA bloc has vowed to continue pressuring the Election Commission and the central government to ensure electoral integrity ahead of crucial state elections.