Police Stop Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi’s March to Supreme Court
Police on Monday stopped an opposition march towards the Supreme Court over allegations of “vote theft” against India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. Thousands of leaders, activists and supporters of the INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) opposition bloc joined the march, led by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, in Delhi. However, police halted the procession after it had covered only a short distance, NDTV reported.
According to the report, the area between Connaught Place and Mandi House in central Delhi was crowded with protesters on Monday. Delhi Police tightened security across the capital to maintain law and order. Opposition leaders gathered near the intersection of Connaught Place and Barakhamba Road for the programme, organised under the INDIA bloc banner as “Chalo Delhi—March for Democracy”.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, along with Neha Bora, president of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), led thousands of supporters towards the Supreme Court. Police stopped the march shortly after it began. Visuals from the scene showed Rahul Gandhi standing on a truck, alongside Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, among other opposition leaders.
The march has added momentum to the opposition’s ongoing campaign against the Election Commission of India. Rahul Gandhi has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition alleges irregularities in the Election Commission’s operations and says they have raised concerns about the impartiality of India’s electoral system. The INDIA bloc had earlier written to the Chief Justice of India and decided to file a petition in the Supreme Court on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference at the Congress headquarters earlier on Monday, Rahul Gandhi said the opposition would continue its fight until changes were made to the Election Commission’s leadership, the Constitution’s dignity was protected and electoral reforms were introduced. Addressing the Chief Election Commissioner, Rahul Gandhi said, ‘Resign, become an approver. You have made a mistake, but you are not the main mastermind behind this mistake.’
Mr. Rahul also claimed that Gyanesh Kumar was under pressure over the allegations. He said, ‘We know that Gyanesh Kumar is unable to sleep at night. I am telling him directly, you will not be able to continue as Chief Election Commissioner.’
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha urged people from all political backgrounds to join the movement. He said the fight was not for the interests of any particular political party or leader, but for protecting the future of Indian democracy.
