Rahul Gandhi Escalates Attack On Modi, Shah And CEC Gyanesh Kumar During INDIA Bloc Protest
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during the INDIA bloc’s protest march to the Election Commission in New Delhi.
Gandhi accused the four of undermining democracy through what he described as “vote chori” and said those responsible would eventually be held accountable.
“What has been done to our country is treason; nobody is going to escape,” Gandhi told reporters as the Opposition protest was stopped by police near Akashvani Bhawan.
Rahul Gandhi Accuses BJP Leaders, CEC Of ‘Vote Chori’
Gandhi alleged that the Opposition was fighting not simply against the BJP but to protect democratic institutions and the voting rights of citizens.
He claimed that Modi, Shah and Bhagwat had “hijacked the nation” through alleged manipulation of votes and accused Gyanesh Kumar of assisting them.
Gandhi also used strong language against the BJP, saying the Opposition would “destroy” the party rather than merely counter it.
The remarks came amid a larger INDIA bloc campaign against the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
INDIA Bloc March To Election Commission Stopped
The Opposition MPs had gathered at Makar Dwar in Parliament before beginning their march towards Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission headquarters. The protesters demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
Police stopped the march near the stretch between NITI Aayog and Akashvani Bhawan. Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those who attempted to proceed further before joining the protest at Akashvani Bhawan.
Gandhi questioned why the Election Commission was unwilling to meet the Opposition MPs.
He said around 300 Opposition MPs wanted to meet the poll panel and claimed that the CEC was “scared” of meeting them.
Opposition Leaders Detained During Protest
Several Opposition leaders were detained during the demonstration after the march was halted.
Among those detained were Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien, according to reports.
The protesters raised slogans against the Election Commission and carried placards and cutouts targeting Gyanesh Kumar. Some Opposition MPs carried cutouts showing the CEC wearing an RSS uniform.
Gandhi also posted a message on X during the protest, saying, “Gyanesh, it’s done bro. Time to resign.”
SIR And Electoral Roll Revision At Centre Of Row
The INDIA bloc’s protest is part of its wider campaign against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Opposition parties have alleged that the voter-list revision process could lead to legitimate voters being removed and have questioned the Election Commission’s handling of the exercise. They have also raised objections over changes concerning Form 6, which is used for voter enrolment.
The BJP and the Election Commission have rejected the Opposition’s allegations.
The Opposition has continued to demand greater transparency in the electoral-roll revision process and the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The October 6 protest marked another escalation in the confrontation between the INDIA bloc and the Election Commission, with the Opposition seeking to keep the voter-list controversy at the centre of the political debate.