INDIA Bloc Protest: Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Detained; Congress Warns 'This Is Just the Beginning'

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Tuesday detained several opposition MPs, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, during a protest march to the Election Commission headquarters. The INDIA bloc protest was against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his removal over allegations of "vote theft" (vote chori). Police said the march had no permission.

The protest began with MPs marching from the Parliament complex towards Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission headquarters. They were stopped near Akashvani Bhavan, where they staged a sit-in for nearly nine hours. Later, police moved in and detained around 50 MPs, according to PTI. Some reports put the total number of detainees at 260. They were taken to New Police Lines in Kingsway Camp.

After his release, Congress MP Pawan Khera warned the government that the protest was "merely the beginning." He said, "The words being spoken today are going to cost them dearly. The people of this country know exactly how to deal with such words and the people who utter them." He named Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CEC Gyanesh Kumar, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying they "will not sleep tonight—nor will they sleep soundly ever again—because they have betrayed the nation." He also said that if Gyanesh Kumar thinks it is over, "this is merely the beginning—nothing has ended yet."

Rahul Gandhi, who was also detained, questioned the denial of permission to meet the Election Commission. "The Election Commission office is barely 50 metres away, but we were not allowed to go there. I do not understand what the problem is. The Election Commission's job is to conduct elections properly. At least 300 MPs want to meet Gyanesh Kumar. But he is scared. I don't know what's happening in the country," he said. He added, "If the representatives of the people cannot meet the Election Commission, then what is the meaning of democracy?"

The INDIA bloc, an alliance of opposition parties, has been alleging irregularities in recent elections, which they call "vote chori." They have demanded the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The Election Commission has not responded to these allegations in this report. The government has also not commented on the protest or the detentions.

Delhi Police stated that the march lacked permission. The detention of opposition MPs has sparked criticism from opposition parties, who see it as an attack on democratic rights. The incident highlights the growing tension between the government and the opposition ahead of upcoming elections.