NEW DELHI; Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and several senior MPs from the INDIA bloc were detained by Delhi Police on Monday during a high-profile protest march against alleged “voter fraud” in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The demonstration, which began from Parliament House and was headed towards the Election Commission’s headquarters, sought to challenge the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Opposition parties allege the revision could disenfranchise millions of voters, particularly from marginalized groups.
Police stopped the march near Transport Bhawan by erecting barricades, prompting dramatic scenes as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav jumped over one of them. Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, and other MPs were subsequently detained, leading to disruptions in both Houses of Parliament.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar supported Gandhi’s accusations, calling for a thorough Election Commission probe and warning of legal action if irregularities were proven. Meanwhile, chief electoral officers from three states challenged Gandhi to present his allegations under oath.
The confrontation has further escalated political tensions ahead of Bihar’s upcoming polls, with the opposition pressing for greater transparency in voter list management.
