Congress MPs climb atop bus as INDIA bloc leaders stopped en route to Jantar Mantar
Chaos erupted in Delhi as INDIA bloc MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, were stopped by police while heading to Jantar Mantar to protest the CEC.
Chaos unfolded on the streets of the national capital on Wednesday as members of the INDIA bloc engaged in a high-voltage standoff with police. In a dramatic display of defiance, several Congress MPs were seen climbing atop a bus after their convoy was intercepted while en route to Jantar Mantar.
High Drama as MPs Defy Police Blockade
The confrontation began when the bus carrying key opposition leaders was halted by security forces. The MPs were attempting to march toward Jantar Mantar or the Election Commission of India to stage a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition is demanding his resignation, alleging significant irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Among those seen scaling the vehicle were prominent Congress leaders Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Deepender Singh Hooda, Imran Pratapgarhi, and Imran Masood. The bus itself was carrying heavyweights of the opposition, including Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
"Every FIR is a Medal": Rahul Gandhi's Defiance
The protest follows a day of intense tension. Rahul Gandhi, who had previously announced the march to Jantar Mantar, expressed his readiness to face legal consequences. Speaking to reporters, Gandhi made it clear that the opposition would not back down from their fight against the current electoral administration.
"Gyanesh Kumar will have to resign. I want 100 FIRs on me; every FIR is a medal," Gandhi stated, emphasizing the unity of the opposition bloc.
Adding to the sentiment of solidarity, TMC MP Derek O'Brien noted the lack of internal friction within the alliance, stating, "We are all here together; we are all here united, and we are all here without any egos. We will fight these guys till they are out."
Constitutional Rights and Police Action
The opposition has accused the Delhi Police of overstepping their bounds to suppress democratic dissent. Congress leader Pawan Khera took to social media to criticize the crackdown, noting that since protests were being blocked in other parts of the capital, the alliance was forced to move toward the designated protest zone at Jantar Mantar.
Khera highlighted the legal basis for their movement, posting: “Since Delhi Police under Amit Shah is not allowing us to protest anywhere in the capital, all buses carrying MPs of opposition parties are now moving to Jantar Mantar... Article 19 gives us our Constitutional right to democratic protest.”
Escalating Tensions Over Electoral Integrity
The standoff is part of a broader, escalating campaign by the INDIA bloc. The tension reached a boiling point on Tuesday during a day-long protest that reportedly led to the detention of Rahul Gandhi. The core of the grievance lies with the conduct of CEC Gyanesh Kumar regarding the electoral roll revisions.
Congress MP Warring questioned the refusal of the CEC to meet with the representatives, suggesting that the police intervention was a direct tool of the current administration. "It is Modi ji's rule, and his Police are stopping us," Warring remarked, questioning why the Chief Election Commissioner would not engage with the elected representatives directly.
As the opposition continues to hold parallel protests across various states, the Congress has signaled that this confrontation will persist until their primary demand—the resignation of the CEC—is met.