Rahul Gandhi says Akashvani Bhawan stir will continue as poll panel says no request received for meeting with ECs
Rahul said the Opposition would continue its protest inside the Akashvani Bhavan precincts, suggesting that if Delhi Police is 'uncomfortable' with the agitation, they should arrange an alternate venue
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, protested at the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters, alleging the panel disrespected the public's voice by refusing to meet with MPs. The ECI countered that no meeting request was received. Gandhi accused top government figures of 'vote theft' and vowed to continue the protest to protect democracy.
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, protested at the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters, alleging the panel disrespected the public's voice by refusing to meet with MPs. The ECI countered that no meeting request was received. Gandhi accused top government figures of 'vote theft' and vowed to continue the protest to protect democracy.
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, protested at the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters, alleging the panel disrespected the public's voice by refusing to meet with MPs. The ECI countered that no meeting request was received. Gandhi accused top government figures of 'vote theft' and vowed to continue the protest to protect democracy.
With Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleging that the poll panel "disrespected" the voice of people by refusing to meet MPs, the Election Commission of India said it did not receive any request for a meeting with CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the two Election Commissioners.
Rahul said the Opposition would continue its protest inside the Akashvani Bhawan precincts, suggesting that if Delhi Police is "uncomfortable" with the agitation, they should arrange an alternate venue.
"We don't have any problem with protesting here. We will continue our protests here. If they (Delhi Police) are uncomfortable with us protesting here, they can provide us with another place to protest. The Constitution allows us to lodge a protest," he told reporters.
Congress leaders Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders on Tuesday staged a protest on the Akashvani Bhavan premises after marching from Parliament Street to Nirvachan Sadan, the ECI headquarters. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress MPs Derek O'Brien and Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee were detained by police.
The protest forced a total lockdown of Parliament Street as the opposition leaders slipped through the police cordons to sneak into the premises of All India Radio to reach the ECI office.
Several MPs, including Rahul, were seen climbing the barricades while trying to reach Nirvachan Sadan.
Rahul claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat have "hijacked" the country with the help of CEC Gyanesh Kumar by carrying out "vote theft", adding that action will be taken against them for "treason".
"The whole country believes this; the youth of the country also believe this. The police people who were stopping me are also saying this. The reality is known to everyone," he said.
"I am not interested in what the BJP says. I am standing here to protect democracy in the country. Along with me, 300 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs had come and they are also trying to protect democracy," the Opposition leader added.
Tuesday's high-drama protest comes more than two months after Rahul, Priyanka and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge staged a sit-in outside the PM's residence on Lok Kalyan Marg over police action against students protesting NEET paper leak row.