On Monday, the Delhi Police apprehended leaders from the INDIA bloc, including Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sagarika Ghose from the Trinamool Congress, and Sanjay Raut from Shiv Sena (UBT), among others, who were on their way to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The INDIA bloc leaders, which included Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav, and Priyanka Gandhi, organized a protest march from Parliament to the ECI headquarters. They opposed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar in light of the forthcoming Assembly elections and raised concerns about alleged “vote theft” during last year’s Lok Sabha elections.

During the protest, Akhilesh Yadav was observed leaping over a police barricade as the Delhi Police tried to prevent Opposition MPs from advancing further. In the meantime, several individuals were detained by the police while attempting to breach the barricades leading to the ECI office.

After his detention, Rahul Gandhi addressed reporters, stating, “They (ECI) cannot communicate, and this is the reality. The truth is evident to the nation. This protest march is not political; it is a struggle to uphold the Constitution; it is a battle for ‘One man, one vote’. This is why we demand a clean and accurate voter list.”

Prior to the march, Yadav told reporters, “This is not the first instance of accusations against the Election Commission. The Samajwadi Party has previously lodged complaints, particularly during the UP by-elections. Police officers were present at polling stations in plain clothes, working to ensure that the maximum number of votes were cast in favor of the BJP… Votes were stolen in the Milkipur by-elections.”

Questioning the ECI’s “inaction,” he remarked, “Why hasn’t the Election Commission acted against officials implicated in the vote theft? We are relieved that, at least in Karnataka, a Congress government is in place. Had we been in power in UP, we would have taken measures against the Election Commission officials. We hope Congress will address the issue of dishonest officers in Karnataka.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore stated, “We requested a discussion in Parliament regarding the vote theft issue, but it did not occur. Rahul Gandhi, the Opposition leader, provided a comprehensive presentation on vote theft, yet the government is preventing it from being discussed in the House.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari mentioned that the Opposition is conducting the protest march to “protect democracy” and “demand answers to the five points raised by Rahul Gandhi.”

“In line with Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings, we will march to the ECI peacefully and patiently. We have complete faith that the Election Commission will awaken and take a stand; it will advance to safeguard democracy and uphold the Constitution,” he stated.

Shiv Sena(UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi accused the Election Commission of collaborating with the BJP during the elections. She asserted that the Opposition is voicing concerns for the “rights of the people.”

Chaturvedi remarked, “The Constitution guarantees everyone the right to vote, but this is being undermined due to the collusion between the Election Commission and the BJP. This is regrettable for the nation. They should have allotted us time for a meeting out of necessity.

“The questions posed by Rahul Gandhi are significant. He has provided evidence in the media. Previously, the Election Commission requested proof; when it was provided, they are now demanding an affidavit. Why is it necessary? Rahul Gandhi is the LoP and he presented evidence from the ECI’s electoral roll itself, so why is an affidavit required?” he questioned.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jebi Mather remarked that the procession of 300 Opposition MPs to the Election Commission illustrates “the seriousness of the situation”.

“We have consistently brought this issue to light, employing various methods of protest both within and outside Parliament, in our pursuit of a discussion on SIR. Recently, Rahul Gandhi has explicitly and thoroughly addressed significant concerns during a press conference. However, the Election Commission, rather than engaging with us, is adopting an unusual position. We are here to reaffirm that the INDIA bloc is dedicated to safeguarding democracy,” she stated.

Purnea MP Pappu Yadav expressed, “It is essential to wage a battle against these individuals. The Election Commission poses a threat to democracy and the Constitution. The Lok Sabha must be entirely dissolved, and the Supreme Court should call upon the Election Commission to hold it accountable.”

SP MP Rajeev Kumar Rai asserted that the Opposition “cannot simply stand by as democracy is undermined, as votes are being stolen and plundered, and as our voices go unheard in Parliament.”