Shillong: Opposition lawmakers are escalating their fight against the Election Commission. Over two days, 300 MPs from 23 parties hit the streets to protest the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. They claim the process ruins voter list integrity.
On Tuesday, the massive group marched from Parliament toward the Election Commission headquarters. Police stopped them cold. The leaders held a sit-in for hours before cops dragged them away. Wednesday brought more of the same. Lawmakers met for lunch in central Delhi then boarded buses for Jantar Mantar. Police cut them off near the Shangri-La hotel, forcing another street-level sit-in.
Women leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, lay on the pavement clutching copies of the Constitution. Security forces eventually detained Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra along with several other members of parliament. Authorities released the Gandhi siblings after 8 pm. This was the third time in 48 hours that leaders faced detention.
Police have filed an FIR at the Parliament Street station against the Gandhi pair and their supporters. They cite unauthorized entry and property damage at Akashvani Bhawan. Officials claim no permits were issued for the marches. Heavy barricades and cordons locked down central Delhi to block access to key protest sites.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stood firm against the mounting pressure. He said the opposition is prepared to face further arrests and cases in defence of constitutional processes. While the government and Election Commission dismiss the claims as standard administrative work, the protests persist. Rahul Gandhi stated the campaign continues until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns. It remains to be seen if the opposition can pull the public into their struggle or if police containment will break their momentum.
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