Opposition MPs stopped near Jantar Mantar; protest centres on SIR, electoral rolls and demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation

NEW DELHI: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among several INDIA bloc leaders detained by the Delhi Police on Wednesday during a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Opposition MPs were stopped near Jantar Mantar as they attempted to reach the designated protest site. Buses carrying the lawmakers were halted around 100 metres from Jantar Mantar, leading to a confrontation between the protesters and the police.

The protest followed a similar demonstration on Tuesday, when INDIA bloc leaders attempted to march towards the Election Commission headquarters over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged irregularities in the electoral process.

After the buses were stopped on Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi sat on the road and refused to end the protest. He was subsequently detained by the police. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other Opposition MPs were also taken into custody. Reports said Priyanka Gandhi objected to the police action during the confrontation.

Rahul demands CEC’s resignation

Rahul Gandhi reiterated his demand for the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the functioning of the Election Commission had raised serious concerns over the electoral process.

The Opposition has been particularly critical of the SIR exercise and the deletion or revision of names in electoral rolls. The Election Commission has faced sustained criticism from Opposition parties over the issue, while the government and the poll panel have rejected allegations of wrongdoing.

Second day of confrontation

The latest detention came a day after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other Opposition leaders were detained following a prolonged protest near Akashvani Bhawan.

On Tuesday, INDIA bloc MPs had attempted to march from Parliament Street towards the Election Commission headquarters. After being stopped by the police, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi entered the Akashvani Bhawan premises and staged a sit-in. The protest continued for several hours before the police detained the leaders. They were later released.

The repeated protests have intensified the political confrontation between the Opposition and the government over electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission.

Opposition’s demands

The INDIA bloc has demanded action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, greater transparency in the SIR exercise and disclosure of names removed from electoral rolls. It has also sought notice and an opportunity to appeal before a voter’s name is deleted.

The Opposition has used the issue of electoral-roll revisions to step up pressure on the Election Commission, while the political dispute over the SIR process continues to deepen.