Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Detained in Delhi Protest

NEW DELHI: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained on Wednesday as INDIA bloc MPs and supporters staged another protest in Delhi over voter-list revision and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The action came a day after the Gandhi siblings were detained following a sit-in at Akashvani Bhawan near the Election Commission headquarters.

The second day's protest unfolded around Jantar Mantar, the designated protest site in central Delhi. Police stopped buses carrying opposition MPs and blocked routes leading towards the area. According to Delhi Police, prior permission is required for a protest at Jantar Mantar, with applications generally required at least 10 days in advance.

INDIA Bloc Leaders Confront Police

The opposition leaders had gathered for a lunch meeting hosted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at a restaurant on Janpath before heading towards Jantar Mantar. Their stated objective was to continue the campaign over what they call "vote chori" and press their demand for action against Gyanesh Kumar.

When police stopped the buses, several INDIA bloc leaders got down and returned to the road. Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi joined the sit-in. Priyanka Gandhi lay down on the road while refusing requests to move, as the confrontation with police intensified.

The siblings were eventually removed by police personnel and placed in a detention bus. Other opposition leaders were also detained. NDTV reported that Congress workers punctured a tyre of one of the buses during the episode, after which Rahul Gandhi was moved to another vehicle and taken to a police station on Barakhamba Road. He was later released along with other detained leaders.

Police Cite Permission Rules

Delhi Police has maintained that demonstrations at Jantar Mantar require advance approval. The police also said that restrictions were being enforced to maintain law and order amid the opposition mobilisation. Heavy barricading and security personnel were deployed around central Delhi as the protest continued.

Rahul Gandhi, however, said the Opposition had deliberately chosen the designated protest venue after being prevented from marching to the Election Commission headquarters the previous day.

"We have approximately 300 MPs" who wanted to meet the Chief Election Commissioner, Gandhi said, adding that the Opposition would continue raising its objections over the electoral-roll revision.

The Opposition has accused the Election Commission of irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls. The Election Commission has rejected the opposition's allegations and has defended its procedures, while the dispute has increasingly moved from Parliament to the streets of Delhi.

FIRs Add Another Layer to the Row

The latest protest followed the registration of an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and others over their entry into Akashvani Bhawan during Tuesday's demonstration.

On Tuesday, Opposition MPs had marched from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters. After being stopped, Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders entered the nearby Akashvani Bhawan premises and staged a prolonged sit-in. Police later removed the protesters and detained several leaders.

Rahul Gandhi subsequently made light of the FIRs, saying that he had already faced several cases and joking that he wanted the number to reach 100.

The confrontation has now extended into a second day, with Congress and other opposition leaders signalling that the protests will continue.

Security Tightens Across Central Delhi

Security arrangements were intensified around the Election Commission, Akashvani Bhawan and Jantar Mantar as the INDIA bloc returned to the streets. Several major roads were barricaded, while police and paramilitary personnel were deployed at strategic points.

The latest developments come amid a wider opposition campaign against the voter-roll revision and the Election Commission's handling of the process. Earlier protests in Delhi over the same issue have also resulted in large-scale detentions and heavy security deployment.

For the Congress, the street protests are part of a broader political campaign that seeks to keep the "vote chori" issue in public focus. Kharge has indicated that opposition MPs will remain in Delhi and continue pressing the matter.

Key Takeaways

• Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained during the second day of protests in Delhi.

• The INDIA bloc is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

• Delhi Police says prior permission is required for demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.

• The protests follow FIRs linked to Tuesday's sit-in at Akashvani Bhawan.

What Happens Next

The dispute is unlikely to end with the latest detentions. Congress leaders have indicated that protests will continue, while the police are expected to maintain tight security around central Delhi. The political battle over voter-list revision is therefore moving on two tracks: inside Parliament and on the streets.

The coming days will show whether the Opposition's campaign leads to further political mobilisation or a renewed institutional confrontation over the Election Commission.

What do you think about the continuing standoff between the Opposition and the Election Commission?

Disclaimer: This report is based on publicly available information and statements attributed to the concerned parties, police and news reports; allegations and political claims have not been independently established unless specifically stated.