Rahul Gandhi Protest: More than 140 MPs from INDIA block started march from Parliament House towards Nirvachan Sadan against SIR and Election Commission. In view of this demonstration by MPs of opposition parties, security arrangements were tightened in Delhi. The police stopped the protesters from moving forward by barricading around the Election House.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi sat on strike
During the march, many opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were detained by the police and made to sit in a bus. After this, both the leaders got down from the bus and sat under a tree in the Akashvani Bhawan premises. It was told that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi sat on strike there for more than five hours.
The Election Commission office is at a distance of about 270 meters from Akashvani Bhavan. In view of the demonstration, Delhi Police deployed a large number of security forces outside the campus. Apart from CRPF and women police personnel, private buses were also arranged.
Demand for resignation of Chief Election Commissioner
Rahul Gandhi had participated in the ‘Save Democracy March’ of 19 opposition parties. Opposition leaders demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The police stopped the march moving from the Parliament House towards the Election House.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has allegedly helped the BJP in ‘vote theft’. He said that he would not leave from there without meeting him. Rahul also said that there are a large number of MPs with him and not listening to the opposition is an insult to the country.
Rahul Gandhi said – Constitution gives the right to protest
During the dharna, Rahul Gandhi said that the protest will continue in the Akashvani Bhawan premises. He said that if Delhi Police has any problem with the protest there, then another place can be made available for the protest. Rahul also cited the right to peaceful protest under the Constitution.
Indian Youth Congress national president Uday Bhanu Chib also raised questions on the police action. He alleged that people protesting peacefully were being detained and the police were trying to protect the alleged killers of democracy.
Akhilesh Yadav also accused the Election Commission
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav reiterated his demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He accused the Election Commission of ‘vote theft’ and claimed that the BJP benefited through alleged irregularities in West Bengal.
Akhilesh Yadav also raised questions on the impartiality of the Election Commission. According to him, the opposition has already had complaints and objections regarding the functioning of the Election Commission. He alleged that after BJP came to power, the attitude of the Election Commission has become in its favor.
Rahul and SP MPs climbed the barricade
During the protest, Rahul Gandhi climbed the police barricade and waved the national flag there. Akhilesh Yadav claimed that BJP is scared of the opposition movement. He also made allegations of alleged rigging in the by-elections.
SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Burke along with his fellow MPs also climbed the police barricade installed near the NITI Aayog office while moving towards the Election Commission.
Security increased near the election chamber
In view of the march of INDIA Block, security arrangements were further tightened around Nirvachan Sadan. The police stopped the opposition leaders and MPs from moving forward by barricading. Leaders and MPs of many parties associated with the INDIA block participated in the demonstration.
Questions are being raised by the opposition leaders regarding the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR, while the opposition parties have also raised objections regarding the action taken by the police during the protest.