Opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc took to the streets of New Delhi on Tuesday as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led a march towards the Election Commission of India headquarters at Nirvachan Sadan. The protest centred on allegations raised by Opposition parties over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and their demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to step down.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Opposition MPs joined the demonstration after gathering near Parliament. Protesters carried placards with messages including “Save Democracy” and raised slogans questioning the functioning of the Election Commission.
The march, however, was stopped by police barricades before the protesters could reach the Election Commission headquarters. During the demonstration, Rahul Gandhi climbed onto a barricade and waved the national flag as party workers and Opposition leaders continued their protest.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other leaders were detained amid the confrontation with police. The INDIA bloc has sought to use the protest to intensify pressure on the Election Commission over allegations concerning electoral rolls. The allegations remain disputed and have become part of a wider political confrontation between the Opposition and the poll body.
Election Commission protest puts voter roll revision in focus
The Election Commission protest has brought renewed political attention to the voter roll revision process. Congress and other participating Opposition parties have accused the poll body of failing to adequately address their concerns and have demanded greater transparency.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has become the main focus of the Opposition campaign, with protesters demanding his resignation. The Congress has indicated that Tuesday’s march is only one part of a broader campaign planned over the coming weeks.
Two INDIA bloc constituents, the DMK and Aam Aadmi Party, stayed away from the march, highlighting differences within the Opposition alliance over participation in the protest.
Congress plans wider campaign over Gyanesh Kumar resignation
Congress plans to expand its campaign through its “Save Vote, Save Country” programme. Block-level activities, including bicycle and motorcycle rallies and leaflet distribution, are planned between October 10 and October 20.
The party also plans booth-level public meetings from October 25 to November 25, with senior Congress leaders expected to participate. A larger rally is scheduled at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
Further demonstrations under the “Chalo Delhi” programme are planned for November 25 and 26, with marches expected to converge in the national capital on Constitution Day.
Congress intends to carry the issue into the winter session of Parliament, keeping the Election Commission, voter roll revision and its allegations against Gyanesh Kumar at the centre of its political campaign.
The dispute has also drawn judicial attention, with matters concerning the Election Commission being heard by the Supreme Court. As political protests and legal proceedings continue, the controversy surrounding electoral rolls and the functioning of the poll body is likely to remain a prominent issue in the coming weeks.
