The Congress-led INDIA coalition kicked off the day with a protest march to the Election Commission’s office, located approximately a kilometre away from the Parliament building.
Delhi Police detained senior opposition MPs on Monday morning, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, as well as Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. Their protests against the Election Commission’s alleged ‘collusion’ with the ruling BJP escalated onto the streets of central Delhi.
Also among those detained were Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, and another Shiv Sena (UBT) representative, Priyanka Chaturvedi.
As Mr. Gandhi and his colleagues were transported away in police vehicles, he addressed the reporters vying for a statement:
Mr. Purohit stated that the opposition lacked police authorization for a protest of this magnitude, and that only a group of 30 MPs had been permitted to march to the Election Commission to submit a complaint.
“The Election Commission agreed to meet with 30 MPs, but over 200 arrived,” explained Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahla. “We intervened to avoid any law-and-order issues, resulting in their detention. Some MPs attempted to jump barricades and were also detained.”
Footage from the protest site near the Parliament building depicted a large gathering of politicians and party workers, many holding placards, chanting slogans, and pushing against police barricades.
Another clip showed Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav climbing over two police barricades.
The BJP responded to the opposition leaders’ protest march by characterizing it as a “deliberate strategy” aimed at creating a “state of anarchy.” Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticized Rahul Gandhi, stating to reporters, “The nation can see who is acting against the Constitution… Rahul Gandhi.”
He further added, “This isn’t the first instance of voter revision in Bihar. The Congress is spreading falsehoods about EVMs and citing Maharashtra elections… It’s their deliberate tactic to incite chaos.”
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also condemned the opposition and affirmed that the government would not stand for further assaults on the Election Commission.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc initiated the day with plans to march to the Election Commission’s office.
On the Streets: Opposition vs EC
In response, police barricaded roads around the Parliament building, erected barriers (some of which were climbed), and deployed extensive security personnel to encircle the protesters.
The turmoil and demonstration led to the adjournment of both Houses until 2 pm.
The opposition is protesting alleged voter fraud orchestrated by the ruling BJP and the Election Commission.
These allegations have been brewing since last year’s Maharashtra election.
The opposition coalition, including the Congress, Shiv Sena, and NCP factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, has accused the EC of tampering with voter lists to secure a BJP victory.
They have highlighted apparent irregularities, such as an unusually high number of new voters appearing just six months after a federal election in which the BJP was defeated.
Similar accusations have also been made regarding the Lok Sabha election in Karnataka.
Last week, Rahul Gandhi presented PowerPoint presentations during meetings of the INDIA bloc.
He provided data supporting his claims of widespread voter fraud and reiterated his demand for the poll panel to release a searchable draft of voter lists, allowing the opposition to verify any errors.
The opposition’s protests have also been stoked by the ‘special intensive revision’ of the Bihar voter list, a process ordered by the Election Commission months before state polls.
The revision of the voter list has been contested in the Supreme Court.
Petitioners argue that it is illegal, exceeding the poll panel’s authority, and have questioned its timing, cautioning that excluded voters may not have sufficient time to resolve appeals. The opposition has also alleged that the exercise was directed by the BJP to eliminate traditional vote banks.
Further concerns were raised over the Election Commission’s decision to reject common government IDs, such as Aadhaar and even its own identity card, for voter re-verification purposes.
The court, however, permitted the continuation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) but instructed the EC to ensure that genuine voters are not excluded and that those who have been—approximately 65 lakh—have sufficient time to appeal their exclusions.
In response to these allegations, the Election Commission has asserted that its processes are transparent and intended to guarantee free and fair elections. The EC strongly countered Rahul Gandhi’s claims, demanding that he submit his allegations in a signed affidavit with supporting evidence. In a particularly robust rebuttal on Friday, the Election Commission accused the Congress of attempting to mislead the Supreme Court in 2018, citing a petition by former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath.
Meanwhile, the BJP criticized Rahul Gandhi for allegedly “disparaging a constitutional body.”
“If Rahul Gandhi values his credibility, he must, under declaration or oath, provide the names of the ineligible electors he claims are listed,” stated Amit Malviya from the BJP in a social media post. “Failing to do so will make it evident that he lacks a substantial case and is merely indulging in political theatrics.”
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