"Gyanesh, It's Done, Bro": Rahul Gandhi Leads INDIA Bloc March To Election Commission

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday led a march by INDIA bloc MPs towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) office in New Delhi, demanding action over the ongoing revision of electoral rolls and calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. The Opposition MPs began their march from Parliament and moved towards Nirvachan Sadan, raising slogans and carrying placards as security personnel stopped them before they could reach the Election Commission's office.

During the protest, Gandhi held up a placard that read, "Gyanesh, it's done bro!" The Congress leader later shared the message on social media while reiterating his demand for the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation. The protest was organised amid the Opposition's continuing criticism of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. INDIA bloc parties have raised concerns over the process and alleged that changes to voter-registration procedures could affect eligible voters.

The Election Commission has maintained that electoral-roll revisions are part of its constitutional responsibility and has rejected allegations that the process is aimed at disenfranchising voters. After being stopped by security personnel, Gandhi and several Opposition leaders sat on the road in protest. Samajwadi Party MPs were also seen confronting barricades during the demonstration.

Several INDIA bloc leaders participated in the protest, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien. However, some Opposition parties, including the DMK and Aam Aadmi Party, did not join the march. The BJP criticised the demonstration, accusing the Opposition of attempting to undermine the Election Commission. Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan questioned the Opposition's criticism of the poll panel, pointing to elections in which Opposition parties had accepted the results.

The dispute has intensified in recent weeks, with the Opposition demanding greater transparency in electoral-roll revisions and seeking accountability from the Election Commission. The controversy has also reached the Supreme Court, where issues related to the electoral-roll revision process are being examined. Tuesday's protest marks another escalation in the political confrontation between the Opposition and the Election Commission, with the electoral-roll revision becoming a major issue in the broader debate over the conduct and credibility of elections in India.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.