Rahul Gandhi questions why Gyanesh Kumar can't meet opposition MPs

Rahul Gandhi stated that he will meet the election commissioner, emphasizing the necessity of the meeting.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, raised questions on Tuesday in New Delhi regarding the blocking of the opposition MPs' march. Due to heavy police deployment, the delegation of MPs could not reach the headquarters of the Election Commission. The opposition MPs were on their way to meet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the two other election commissioners.

During a protest at the Akashvani Bhawan, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said that,

"They will meet the election commissioners; they have to meet them. The voice of the country has been insulted (of the MPs). We just want to meet the election commissioners. We have no problem sitting here."

Rahul Gandhi further stated, "If you want, remove us, give us any place and we will sit there."

Amid ongoing protests on the streets of the capital, Rahul Gandhi told reporters,

"Some time ago, around 300 MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha came here. We wanted to meet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and his two colleagues. The police stopped us here."

Rahul Gandhi was speaking to reporters in the premises of Akashvani Bhawan, located near the Election Commission. This protest was part of the opposition's campaign regarding the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls, or SIR. During this extensive process taking place across the country, around 13 crore names have been removed from the electoral rolls, and millions of names have been added.

Rahul Gandhi said,

"We are the representatives of the people of India and represent the voice of the country. I do not understand why 300 MPs have been stopped here, why they are being forced to sit here, and why they are not being allowed to go to the Election Commission. I do not know what the problem is."

Delhi Police stopped Rahul Gandhi and other opposition MPs when they were trying to reach the Election Commission. The MPs wanted to meet the officials of the commission to raise their questions regarding the electoral rolls and SIR. Rahul Gandhi intensified his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He alleged that Modi, Shah, and Bhagwat, with the help of Gyanesh Kumar, have “hijacked” the country through “vote theft.”

He said,

"Action will be taken against them. No one will be spared, whether it is Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Shah, RSS chief Bhagwat, or Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. What has been done to our country is treason. No one will escape."

Rahul Gandhi also stated that he stands there to protect democracy in the country. He said, "I have no interest in what the BJP says. I stand here to protect the democracy of the country." He alleged that Modi, Shah, Bhagwat, and Gyanesh Kumar have "destroyed" democracy in India.

Earlier, on the social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi had also questioned the election commissioners for not meeting the opposition MPs. He wrote, "We represent millions of Indians. Why are the election commissioners not meeting us? Why is the police stopping us and threatening us?"

The situation escalated during the march from Parliament to the Election Commission headquarters when Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra entered the premises of Akashvani Bhawan along with some other opposition MPs. Earlier, the police had stopped the protesters in front of the NITI Aayog office on Parliament Road.

The MPs were stopped on the road between the NITI Aayog and Akashvani Bhawan, which leads to the Election Commission headquarters. After being prevented from moving forward, the MPs sat on the road and staged a sit-in. The opposition leaders were demanding to reach the commission and meet the election commissioners.

During this, Rahul Gandhi climbed onto the police barricade and waved the tricolor. His sister Priyanka Gandhi also reached the gate of Akashvani Bhawan with him. Later, Rahul, Priyanka, and some other opposition MPs entered the premises of Akashvani Bhawan through the reception gate.

After the march was blocked, several opposition leaders were detained. These included Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress MPs Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien, and Sagarika Ghosh, as well as Congress MP Jyotimani. Amid the police action and the blocking of the MPs, the opposition's protest continued.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated that this protest will continue to protect voting rights and democracy. He clarified that the opposition will continue its campaign on the issue of safeguarding the right to vote. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav stated that the Election Commission should make fair decisions.

This protest was part of the opposition's campaign against SIR and the demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition parties are questioning the changes made to the electoral rolls and seeking answers from the Election Commission.