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Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi detained by Delhi Police (Img: Dynamite News)
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was detained by Delhi Police on Wednesday while he was proceeding towards Jantar Mantar to stage a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Gandhi, who was accompanied by a large group of INDIA bloc MPs and Congress workers, resisted the police action and sat on a dharna as the protesters sought to proceed towards the designated protest site.
The INDIA bloc leaders were protesting against the Election Commission and raising allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Opposition has also been demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Before moving towards Jantar Mantar for protest, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted lunch for INDIA bloc leaders.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said INDIA bloc leaders would head to the "designated protest site" at Jantar Mantar.
They said that they would continue their agitation against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, asserting that they would not back down despite cases being filed against them.
Speaking to media, Kharge said: "Today, we will hold a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar. Until our demands are met, we will continue to hold such protests."
"The mistakes that have been done by the Election Commission, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support, are an attempt to finish democracy in the country. They don't even pay heed to the Constitution. It is our responsibility to take the people's message across the country. That is why we, the leaders of all (INDIA bloc) parties, want to unitedly tell the citizens that we will keep fighting for the protection of our rights, which are being snatched away, irrespective of the number of cases filed against us," he said.
Congress president Kharge was referring to a complaint received by the Delhi Police against Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc MPs who accompanied them during Tuesday's protest. The complaint relates to their alleged forcible entry into Akashvani Bhawan, officials said.
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An FIR has been registered in connection with the matter, officials added.
"We won't be scared by anyone and will keep fighting," Kharge asserted.
Rahul Gandhi said around 300 MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had sought to meet the CEC on Tuesday but were not allowed to do so.
"As I said yesterday, around 300 MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha wanted to meet the CEC yesterday. He did not meet us. The Delhi Police stopped us, and yesterday they said that we cannot protest there."
"So, our plan today is to go to the designated protest site, Jantar Mantar, and sit there again and tell the country that, for us, Gyanesh Kumar is not the legitimate Election Commissioner of the country," he added.
Also Read: Kharge Hosts INDIA Bloc MPs Over Lunch After Election Commission Protest
Rahul Gandhi also reiterated his allegations against the Prime Minister, Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
"PM Modi, along with Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Gyanesh Kumar have together finished the country's democracy...as I said yesterday, this is treason and action will be taken against those involved in this. Gyanesh Kumar will have to resign."
On the FIR registered against him, Rahul Gandhi said: "I have 45 FIRs against me. My goal is to have 100. I want 100 FIRs to be filed against me. Every FIR is a medal for me."
