New Delhi: High drama unfolded in central Delhi on Wednesday as INDIA bloc MPs attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar for a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were stopped by a heavy security deployment, with several opposition leaders detained.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those detained after the opposition MPs were stopped by police near Ashoka Road while heading towards the designated protest site. The protest was organised over the opposition's allegations of electoral irregularities and its demand for the removal of Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner.
The confrontation began after buses carrying opposition MPs from Janpath were stopped by police. The development led to road blockades, slogans and sit-in protests. Rahul Gandhi joined the protesters on the road before police personnel detained him and took him away in a police vehicle.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several women MPs also sat on the road in protest. Priyanka alleged that women police personnel who moved to detain them shoved her to the ground and scratched her. Her allegations could not be independently verified.
The opposition MPs had gathered for a lunch hosted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at Janpath before setting out towards Jantar Mantar. Leaders from several parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, CPI(M), CPI, RJD and IUML, participated in the protest. The Samajwadi Party was not present at the lunch meeting.
Rahul Gandhi told reporters that the opposition would protest at Jantar Mantar, which is a designated protest location, and reiterated the INDIA bloc's objections to the functioning of the Election Commission.
The protest follows another confrontation between opposition leaders and police during their march towards the Election Commission on Tuesday. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other opposition leaders had been detained after staging a prolonged sit-in at Akashvani Bhawan.
Opposition leaders criticised the police action. RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha alleged that protesters were subjected to a “brutal lathi charge” and held the Centre and the Election Commission responsible. These allegations were made by the opposition and were not independently established.
The INDIA bloc has been demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over what it calls “vote chori” and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has maintained that meetings with political parties are governed by established procedures and said opposition MPs had sought a meeting at Parliament House Annexe rather than the Commission's premises.
The Congress has announced plans to intensify its campaign, including a “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
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