Opposition Show of Strength: 300+ MPs Protest Outside Nirvachan Sadan

Over 300 INDIA Bloc MPs March to Election Commission, Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Stopped at Nirvachan Sadan During Opposition Protest

More than 300 MPs from the INDIA bloc took to the streets and marched from Parliament towards the Election Commission of India’s office, Nirvachan Sadan, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among the opposition leaders who attempted to enter the Election Commission office complex but were stopped by security personnel.

The protesting MPs subsequently staged a sit-in outside the premises. The demonstration centred on the opposition's allegations concerning the functioning of the Election Commission and its handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

During the protest, Rahul Gandhi questioned why the Election Commissioners were unwilling to meet elected representatives who, he said, represent crores of Indian citizens. He also questioned the presence of police personnel and alleged that opposition leaders were being stopped and threatened while attempting to reach the poll panel.

The INDIA bloc leaders have been demanding greater transparency from the Election Commission and have repeatedly raised questions over electoral-roll revisions and the deletion or addition of voters' names.

The Election Commission, however, has maintained that its decisions are taken in accordance with the law and has defended the electoral-roll revision process.

The latest protest marks another escalation in the political confrontation between the opposition and the poll panel, with the INDIA bloc seeking accountability from the Election Commission and pressing for action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.