Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also removed from the protest site by women police personnel. Visuals from the protest showed police personnel physically taking her away as the Opposition demonstration continued.
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Several INDIA bloc leaders, including Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, were also detained as the Opposition sought to hold a protest against the Election Commission and demand Kumar’s removal. The leaders have been raising allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Opposition MPs had gathered in Delhi after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted INDIA bloc leaders for lunch before they boarded buses for Jantar Mantar, the designated protest venue.
Police stopped the buses close to Jantar Mantar, preventing the MPs from proceeding to the protest site. INDIA bloc leaders alleged that police used force against them and stopped them from moving towards the venue.
Congress MP Pawan Khera questioned the police action, saying the Opposition was not being allowed to hold a peaceful demonstration at a designated location.
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“We are not being allowed to hold a peaceful protest at a designated site, how will democracy work like this? We will come again,” Khera said.
Wednesday’s detention came a day after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other Opposition leaders were detained following an hours-long protest near Akashvani Bhavan. The leaders had attempted to march towards the Election Commission headquarters demanding a meeting with the poll panel and the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.
The INDIA bloc has stepped up its campaign against the Election Commission over the SIR exercise, with Opposition leaders accusing the poll panel of electoral irregularities and demanding Kumar’s resignation. Around 300 Opposition MPs were expected to participate in Wednesday’s protest at Jantar Mantar.
