Congress-led INDIA bloc’s march to Election Commission in Delhi ends with police detaining Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and other opposition leaders.
Senior opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were detained by Delhi Police on Monday during a protest march to the Election Commission. The Congress-led INDIA bloc began the day with a rally from Parliament to the EC office, barely a kilometre away, to protest alleged bias in the poll panel’s functioning.
Large-Scale Demonstration in Central Delhi
- Visuals showed hundreds of politicians and workers waving flags, chanting slogans, and sitting on the roads.
- Police set up barricades, blocked roads, and deployed large security teams to control the crowd.
- Leaders including Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party) and Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena-UBT) joined the sit-in protest.
Allegations Against Election Commission
The opposition accuses the Election Commission of colluding with the BJP to manipulate voter lists and commit voter fraud. Specific allegations include:
- Large number of new voters added just months after certain state elections.
- Voter list discrepancies in Maharashtra and Karnataka polls.
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar voter list allegedly ordered to influence results.
- Rejection of common government IDs like Aadhaar for voter re-verification.
Rahul Gandhi’s Demand for Transparency
Last week, Rahul Gandhi presented data at INDIA bloc meetings alleging widespread voter fraud. He demanded:
- The release of a searchable draft of voter lists for public verification.
- Accountability from the Election Commission.
Legal Battle Over Bihar Voter List
The Bihar voter list revision is under challenge in the Supreme Court, with petitioners calling it illegal and warning of mass voter exclusion. The court allowed the process to continue but ordered the EC to ensure genuine voters are not removed and that excluded voters get time to appeal.
Election Commission’s Response
The EC has denied all allegations, stating that its processes are transparent and aimed at ensuring free and fair elections. It has asked Rahul Gandhi to submit his claims in a signed affidavit along with proof.
Also Read : Congress Launches ‘Vote Chori’ Campaign Ahead of Bihar Polls
