Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other Opposition leaders were detained by Delhi Police during an INDIA bloc protest march towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) in New Delhi. The leaders were later released.
The protest took place amid the Opposition’s continuing concerns over electoral roll revisions and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Opposition leaders have raised allegations regarding the electoral process, while the Election Commission and the BJP have rejected allegations of deliberate voter suppression.
March Towards Election Commission
- INDIA bloc leaders and MPs attempted to march from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters. Delhi Police stopped the march, citing restrictions on gatherings in the New Delhi area.
- Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi subsequently joined other protesters in a sit in after the march was stopped. Several leaders and protesters were later detained by police.
- Delhi Police said the march had not been authorised and that restrictions were already in force in the area.
Election Commission’s Clarification
- The Election Commission later issued a clarification regarding the Opposition’s claim that it wanted to meet the poll panel.
- The ECI said that until 4 PM on October 6, no political party had formally sought an appointment through its authorised representative.
- The Commission said that around 4 PM, Delhi Police informed it that a delegation led by Rahul Gandhi wanted to meet the Election Commission and submit a memorandum. The delegation was reported to include around 240 MPs.
- The ECI said its established procedure requires political parties or joint delegations to seek appointments through authorised representatives, after which a mutually convenient meeting time is arranged.
Memorandum Offered to Be Received
- The Election Commission said it was prepared to receive the memorandum through a senior officer at the proposed location.
- According to the ECI, the Opposition delegation wanted to meet at the Parliament House Annexe, while the Commission’s procedure provides for such meetings to take place at the ECI premises.
- The Commission said its offer to send a senior officer to receive the memorandum was declined by the MPs.
Opposition’s Position
- Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders maintained that they wanted to meet the Election Commission and raise concerns regarding electoral rolls and alleged irregularities.
- The INDIA bloc has been demanding greater transparency in the SIR process and has called for accountability from the Election Commission.
- The ECI has maintained that it follows established procedures for meetings with political parties and has rejected the suggestion that it refused a formally requested meeting before 4 PM.
Leaders Released
- After several hours of protest and detention, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other detained Opposition leaders were released.
- The incident adds to the ongoing political dispute between the Opposition and the Election Commission over electoral roll revisions and the SIR exercise.
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Note: The dispute over the meeting should be understood in context. The ECI said no formal appointment had been sought through the prescribed procedure before 4 PM, while Opposition leaders said they wanted to meet the Commission and submit their concerns.
