Rahul Gandhi leads INDIA bloc march from Makar Dwar; police halt protesters as Opposition demands CEC’s resignation
GTNS | OCTOBER 6, 2026
NEW DELHI: A fresh political confrontation over electoral-roll revision unfolded in New Delhi on Tuesday as INDIA bloc MPs gathered at Parliament’s Makar Dwar and marched towards the Election Commission headquarters, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Led by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, the protest brought together Opposition leaders from several parties. The march was linked to their objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and their wider concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission.
The protesters carried placards and raised slogans targeting the Chief Election Commissioner. Among the slogans heard during the demonstration were “Vote chor, gaddi chhod” and other messages accusing the poll body of failing to protect electoral integrity. These were political allegations made by the protesters and are not established findings against the CEC.
Rahul Gandhi also posted a direct message on social media calling on Gyanesh Kumar to resign, while leading the march towards the Election Commission.
The march, which began from the Parliament complex, was stopped by security personnel near the NITI Aayog–Akashvani Bhawan stretch. With the route blocked, Opposition MPs staged a sit-in and continued their protest on the road.
The security arrangements around Parliament and the Election Commission headquarters were significantly strengthened ahead of the demonstration. Barricades were installed and a large number of Delhi Police and security personnel were deployed along the route.
The protest later witnessed a dramatic confrontation when Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders moved towards the barricades. Rahul Gandhi climbed onto a police barricade while holding the national flag, before security personnel brought him down.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also participated in the demonstration. Leaders from the Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party and other INDIA bloc constituents joined the march, underlining the Opposition’s attempt to present a united front on the electoral-roll issue.
Why is the Opposition protesting?
At the centre of the dispute is the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have alleged that the exercise could result in eligible voters being left out of electoral lists and have demanded greater safeguards and transparency.
The Opposition has also raised questions concerning Form 6, the statutory application used for voter enrolment. The Supreme Court recently observed that it had not approved any modified version of Form 6 and said it would examine the Election Commission’s records regarding changes and their authorisation.
The Election Commission, however, has rejected suggestions of a division within the poll body and maintained that decisions relating to SIR were taken unanimously.
Protest turns into detention
As the protesters refused to move away from the designated area, police began removing and detaining several Opposition leaders. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other leaders were among those taken into custody during the day’s confrontation.
The confrontation did not end with the initial detention. Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi later continued their protest around Akashvani Bhawan, where they staged a sit-in after the march towards the ECI headquarters had been blocked.
The day’s developments have turned the SIR dispute into a wider political battle involving electoral-roll accuracy, voter rights, the Election Commission’s institutional role and the Opposition’s right to protest.
The Congress and its allies say they are seeking accountability and protection of voting rights. The Election Commission and the ruling side have rejected the Opposition’s allegations, setting the stage for continued political and legal confrontation over the electoral process.
GTNS | NEW DELHI