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Opposition MPs detained during protest march to ECI released | Top updates

Statesman News Service

The Opposition INDIA bloc’s march from Parliament to the Election Commission of India to protest against the alleged vote theft in 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar was stopped by the Delhi Police, citing a lack of permission for the march.

Several Opposition MPs, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, and Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav were detained.

Over 300 Opposition Members of Parliament from both the Houses, including those from the Aam Aadmi Party, took part in the protest march.

The march came amid Parliament protests against the ongoing SIR exercise in Bihar and days after Rahul Gandhi’s “vote theft” allegations.

On August 7, Rahul Gandhi had alleged rigging in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, sharing what he described as “criminal evidence” to back his claim.

He gave a detailed presentation on how the election at the Bengaluru Central Lok Sabha constituency was manipulated. Rahul claimed that there are over one lakh fake voters in the constituency.

Following this, the Congress launched an online campaign to mobilise public support against what it termed as “vote chori” (vote theft).

Rahul Gandhi shared a post on his X handle, urging citizens to register on a newly launched web portal: votechori.in/ecdemand, or give a missed call to 9650003420 to support the cause.

Below are top updates of Opposition MP’s proteat march to ECI:

Police release detained MPs

All the Opposition MPs who were detained by the police have been released. The MPs were held at Parliament Street Police Station.

‘Don’t understand what they are afraid of,’ says Kharge as police detain him

“If the government doesn’t allow us to reach the Election Commission, then we don’t understand what they are afraid of? All MPs were present in this march, we were marching peacefully. We wanted the Election Commission to call all MPs, we would hold a meeting and present our respective sides, but the Election Commission is saying that only 30 members should come. How is this possible?” asks Kharge as police detain him.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also detained by Delhi police

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has also been detained by the police. Congress says he was arbitrarily detained for peacefully protesting against the brazen “vote chori” by BJP and Eelection Commission.

“This is a stark reminder of the Modi government’s desperation to silence dissent. But we won’t be intimidated. We will continue to fight for the people’s rights and hold them accountable for every instance of electoral malfeasance,” says Congress.

Fight not political, but to save Constitution, says Rahul as police detain him

“The truth about vote chori is now out in the open. This fight is not political; it’s a fight to safeguard the Constitution. It’s a fight for the fundamental principle of one person, one vote, and we need a clean, transparent voter list to ensure its integrity,” says Rahul as police detain him.

Modi govt scared, says Priyanka

Congress MP from Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was detained by Delhi police along with several other Opposition MPs, says, “Modi government is scared… they are coward.”

Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi and Sanjay Raut detained

Delhi police has detained INDIA bloc MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Sanjay Raut, and Sagarika Ghose, among others, who were protesting against the alleged rigging in 2024 Lok Sabha elections and Bihar SIR. Their protest march from Parliament to the Election Commission of India also stopped.

Rahul Gandhi raises serious questions that demand serious answers from ECI, says Shashi Tharoor

Tharoor, who has been at loggerheads with the Congress leadership lately, has backed Rahul Gandhi, says he raised serious questions and they deserve serious answers.

“For me, the issue is very simple. Rahul Gandhi has raised some serious questions; they deserve serious answers. The Election Commission not only has a responsibility to the nation, but it has a responsibility to itself that there should not be any doubts left in the minds of the public about this entire credibility of our elections. The elections matter to the whole country. Our democracy is too precious to be jeopardised by doubts about whether there is duplicate voting, whether there are multiple addresses, or whether there are fake votes. If there are doubts in people’s minds, they should be addressed. There may be answers available to these questions, but those answers must be provided credibly. That is my only request that the Election Commission should take the questions and address them,” says Tharoor.

Akhilesh Yadav jumps over barricade as police stops Opposition’s protest march to ECI

Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Akhilesh Yadav jumps over a police barricade as Delhi Police stops INDIA bloc leaders marching from the Parliament to the Election Commission over “vote theft” in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections and Bihar SIR exercise.

“They are using police to stop us…,” says Akhilesh Yadav as he, along with other SP MPs sits on protest against police action.

#WATCH | Delhi: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav jumps over a police barricade as Delhi Police stops INDIA bloc leaders marching from the Parliament to the Election Commission of India to protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound… pic.x.com/X8YV4mQ28P

Delhi Police stops protest march of Opposition MPs

Delhi Police has stopped Opposition’s INDIA bloc leaders, who were marching from the Parliament to the Election Commission of India, to protest against the alleged rigging in 2024 Lok Sabha elections and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar.

Opposition MPs gather at Makar Dwar of Parliament

The MPs have gathered at the starting point of their march – the Makar Dwar of Parliament. The MPs sing National Anthem as they begin their protest march from the Parliament to the Election Commission of India to protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar and allegations of “voter fraud” during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Security tightened around ECI office

Delhi Police has increased security outside the Election Commission office ahead of the INDI Alliance’s protest march. According to reports, the police has not given permission to hold a march near the Election Commission’s office.

A march of dispair, says BJP

Reacting to the Opposition’s march, BJP MP Dinesh Sharma says, “This march of despair, by those who are hopeless, frustrated, and depressed, who have lost three consecutive times, is nothing but a farcical march. The public will not accept this march of despair”

Lok Sabha needs to be dissolved, SC should summon ECI

Purnea MP and a staunch supoorter of Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav says there is a need to fight these people.

He says, “The Election Commission is an enemy of democracy and the Constitution. The Lok Sabha needs to be completely dissolved and the Supreme Court should summon the Election Commission.”

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