We stand to save democracy; no one will be able to escape : Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi : A massive show of strength by the opposition ‘INDIA’ alliance was witnessed on the streets of Delhi on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The atmosphere became extremely tense when police halted the march of opposition MPs who were proceeding from Parliament’s Makar Dwar towards Nirvachan Sadan (ECI headquarters) by erecting barricades near Akashvani Bhawan and NITI Aayog.

Outraged by being stopped, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Abhishek Banerjee, and other top leaders, staged a sit-in protest right there on the road.

After being prevented by the police from reaching Nirvachan Sadan, Rahul Gandhi launched a direct attack on the central government and the Election Commission.

Speaking to the media, he said, “We are elected representatives (MPs) and were going to meet the Chief Election Commissioner in our own country. The police stopped us. We do not understand why we cannot meet the CEC. Gyanesh Kumar is scared. If the Election Commissioner cannot meet the country’s elected representatives, then what meaning does this democracy hold?”

Rahul Gandhi further stated in an aggressive tone, “We stand here to save democracy. PM Modi, the Home Minister, and Gyanesh Kumar have together destroyed this country’s democracy. But remember, not a single person involved in this will be able to escape. This is an act of treason against the country, and everyone will be held accountable.” Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said, “A short while ago, around 300 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs arrived here. We wanted to meet Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and his two colleagues. The police stopped us right here. We are representatives of the people of India and voice the nation’s sentiments. I fail to understand why 300 MPs have been stopped here and are being denied permission to proceed to the Election Commission. I do not know what the problem is.”

The protest by MPs staging a sit-in outside Akashvani Bhavan was intense. Opposition MPs held posters and cutouts depicting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the RSS uniform.

High-voltage drama unfolded at the scene when the march was halted. Rahul Gandhi and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee climbed onto the police barricades and greeted the public.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was initially detained by the police and placed on a bus. However, she stepped off the bus, returned to her brother Rahul Gandhi, and sat on the road near the gate of Akashvani Bhavan.

Later, Rahul, Priyanka, and Deepender Singh Hooda entered the Akashvani Bhavan premises through the reception gate. Although the police repeatedly appealed for the area to be cleared, the MPs remained adamant about proceeding to the ECI office.

Apart from the Congress, SP, TMC, and Left parties, MPs from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) also joined the protest. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that the BJD’s participation demonstrated that the entire opposition had united against rigging and irregularities in the electoral process.

Earlier, several prominent leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and TMC MP Derek O’Brien, had been detained by the police.

Report : Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)