Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc leaders face police barricades during an escalating protest march towards the Election Commission in New Delhi. (Images: X)
New Delhi: The INDIA bloc’s protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI) intensified in New Delhi on Tuesday when Opposition MPs attempted to push open the gates of Akashvani Bhawan during their march towards the poll panel’s headquarters.
Carrying the Tricolour and placards carrying the message “Save democracy”, the protesting leaders began their march from Parliament and raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, BJP and RSS. The Opposition has been demanding the CEC’s resignation.
Tensions rose as the protesting MPs reached the area around Akashvani Bhawan and attempted to move through the gates despite heightened security arrangements. Delhi Police and other security personnel had been deployed along the route, while barricades were erected at several points to stop the protesters from advancing towards the Election Commission office. The gathering remained charged as MPs, party workers and supporters continued raising slogans during the demonstration.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi were among several Opposition leaders who were briefly detained after the protesters were stopped from moving towards the ECI headquarters.
Rahul Gandhi encountered multiple layers of police barricades while trying to proceed. He subsequently climbed onto one of the barricades and waved a large national flag, drawing loud responses from INDIA bloc leaders and supporters at the protest site.
The demonstration is focused on the Opposition’s demands concerning the Election Commission, with INDIA bloc leaders calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. MPs marched from Parliament towards the ECI headquarters carrying national flags and “Save democracy” banners. Slogans directed at the BJP and RSS were also raised during the protest.
Security arrangements were strengthened ahead of the march, with police barricades installed around the ECI office and personnel deployed to regulate the crowd. Restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) were imposed in and around Jantar Mantar. Authorities also appealed to people in the area to comply with the restrictions and cooperate with security personnel.
Earlier Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the Opposition would continue its campaign to 'save democracy' and remain firm on its demands. Kharge said the INDIA bloc was determined to continue its political fight, maintaining that the Opposition’s stated objective was to defend democracy. The latest protest comes amid continuing political differences between the Opposition and the Election Commission, with INDIA bloc parties maintaining pressure over their concerns and demands.
