Opposition leaders protest alleged voter roll manipulation by Election Commission; Delhi Police detain Rahul Gandhi and key MPs during march to poll panel headquarters.
On Monday morning in New Delhi, senior opposition leaders including Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, were detained by Delhi Police as their protest march against alleged collusion between the Election Commission (EC) and the ruling BJP escalated in central Delhi. Other notable detainees included Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi.
The protest began as a march from the Parliament House towards the Election Commission’s headquarters, with opposition MPs demanding transparency and action over what they described as voter manipulation, particularly pointing to the recent ‘special intensive revision’ (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The opposition alleges this exercise was designed to exclude legitimate voters, especially those belonging to communities that traditionally support opposition parties.
As the march progressed, police had already set up barricades near Parliament to block the path. Only thirty MPs were officially allowed to approach the Election Commission to submit their complaints, but more than 200 parliamentarians marched together, leading to confrontations with security forces. Some MPs, including Akhilesh Yadav and Mahua Moitra, attempted to climb over barricades, while others staged sit-ins at the blockade. These actions prompted police to detain the protesters to prevent disruption of law and order.
Rahul Gandhi, addressing reporters during the detention, insisted that this fight transcended politics. “This fight is not political… it is to save the Constitution. The fight is for ‘one person, one vote,'” he said firmly. He accused the Election Commission of turning a blind eye to irregularities and stressed the need for fair electoral processes.
The Election Commission, on the other hand, rejected these allegations strongly. Officials emphasized that their procedures are transparent and designed to uphold free and fair elections. They called on Rahul Gandhi to provide evidence supporting his claims under oath and dismissed the opposition’s accusations as politically motivated. The BJP echoed this stance, accusing the opposition of trying to foment unrest and undermine constitutional institutions.
This confrontation reflects a growing tension in Indian politics over voter roll integrity and the impartiality of the Election Commission. Opposition parties have highlighted discrepancies in voter lists during recent elections, such as an unusually high number of new voters registered shortly after previous polls, notably in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Rahul Gandhi’s team presented data they claim proves widespread voter fraud, demanding the release of searchable draft voter lists so errors can be identified and corrected.
The ongoing ‘special intensive revision’ of Bihar’s electoral rolls has further intensified these disputes. The revision, which the Supreme Court allowed to continue with certain safeguards, has been challenged for its timing and methodology, with petitioners arguing it exceeds the poll panel’s authority and could disenfranchise voters by not providing sufficient time for appeals.
Despite the seriousness of the opposition’s allegations, critics argue that the claims often rely on political assumptions rather than concrete proof. The final electoral rolls in Karnataka, for example, were made public last year and distributed to all recognized parties, including Congress, which weakens claims of systematic manipulation favoring the BJP. Furthermore, some observers warn that focusing solely on alleged electoral fraud as a reason for electoral defeats may prevent opposition parties from introspection and necessary reforms.
The Election Commission’s response to these accusations has been cautious but firm, often requesting formal proof and maintaining its commitment to impartiality. However, recent incidents, such as the suspension of four election officials in West Bengal over roll manipulation, demonstrate that irregularities do exist and require decisive action.
Monday’s protest and subsequent detentions underscore the deep mistrust and polarization surrounding elections in India today. While the opposition seeks greater transparency and accountability, the government and Election Commission view these protests as disruptive and politically motivated. The dialogue between these stakeholders remains tense but crucial for the health of India’s democracy.
Following the protest, the Election Commission agreed to meet with Congress representatives for discussions. Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge plans to convene a meeting with opposition MPs to strategize on addressing the alleged electoral malpractices.
In an environment where trust in electoral institutions is essential, both the Election Commission and opposition parties face the challenge of restoring confidence through transparent, evidence-based engagement. The coming weeks will be critical in determining how these disputes shape the political landscape ahead of upcoming elections.
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