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Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during the Opposition protest at Akashvani Bhawan (Img: @INCongress)
New Delhi: The confrontation between the Opposition and the Election Commission took a fresh turn on Wednesday after Delhi Police registered an FIR against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over their alleged unauthorised entry into the Akashvani Bhawan premises during an INDIA bloc protest.
The case came hours after the Gandhi siblings were detained following a prolonged sit-in at the All India Radio complex. The Opposition had been attempting to march towards the Election Commission headquarters to raise concerns over electoral rolls and demand action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest began as an INDIA bloc march from Parliament towards the Election Commission office, located a short distance away.
Also Read: From March to Dharna: Know How Rahul Gandhi Turned Akashvani Bhavan Into Protest Site
Police barricades stopped the protesters near Akashvani Bhawan, after which several Opposition MPs were detained. Rahul Gandhi climbed over a barricade before later moving towards the Akashvani premises, where Priyanka Gandhi and other leaders were present.
The two Congress leaders subsequently joined the sit-in, turning what was initially a march towards the poll panel into a prolonged protest inside the broadcaster's premises.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Opposition leaders remained at the site for several hours, demanding an opportunity to meet the Election Commission.
Police eventually moved in to clear the premises. Around 250 people, including about 50 MPs, were detained during the prolonged protest, according to police. The detained leaders were taken to the New Police Lines at Kingsway Camp and were later released.
The latest FIR now adds a legal dimension to an already escalating political confrontation.
According to reports, the complaint was filed after Akashvani staff raised concerns over the alleged forced entry into the premises. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and others have been booked over the alleged unauthorised entry, with the investigation now underway.
The development has shifted the focus from the original ECI protest to the conduct of the demonstration itself, with the Opposition likely to face questions over the circumstances surrounding the entry into the government premises.
The protest was triggered by the Opposition's demand to meet the Election Commission over electoral-roll issues and the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
The ECI has maintained that no political party had formally sought an appointment through its authorised representative before 4 pm on Tuesday. The Commission said it was later informed that a delegation of around 240 MPs wanted to meet it at the Parliament House Annexe.
The poll panel declined that arrangement, saying its established procedure requires such meetings to take place at the ECI premises. It also offered to send its senior-most officer to receive the memorandum, an offer the MPs declined.
The FIR against Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi comes as Opposition parties intensify their campaign against the Election Commission and CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Also Read: ‘Elections Are Stolen’: Rahul Gandhi’s Explosive Claim After Opposition’s Big Meeting
For the Opposition, the protest remains part of its wider challenge over electoral-roll revision and alleged irregularities. The Election Commission and the government have rejected allegations of wrongdoing, maintaining that the voter-list revision is aimed at ensuring accurate electoral rolls.
With the FIR now added to the dispute, the Akashvani Bhawan episode has become a separate flashpoint in the continuing confrontation between the Opposition, Delhi Police and the Election Commission.
