New Delhi, 11 Aug :- Delhi Police arrested a number of senior opposition leaders, including Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, as their procession to the Election Commission (EC) was reduced to a free-for-all on Monday. The leaders had marched to protest what they claimed was bias in the poll body’s operations, charging it with pro-ruling BJP tilt.
The dramatic moments were witnessed outside Parliament Street when police halted the opposition’s planned march, arresting leaders of Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Shiv Sena (UBT). Some of those arrested included Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Sanjay Raut and Priyanka Chaturvedi.
This isn’t politics—this is about saving democracy,” Rahul Gandhi asserted as police officers led him to a police bus. “The struggle is for ‘one person, one vote.’ The nation sees clearly.”
Police explained the protestors were only allowed to have 30 MPs march to the EC but more than 200 leaders and workers tried to force their way through barricades. “They exceeded the approved numbers, resulting in detentions to avoid chaos,” said DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla. Joint CP Deepak Purohit confirmed the detentions but did not give figures.
Intense confrontations between protesters and police, with opposition workers holding placards and shouting slogans. Opposition MPs were said to have attempted jumping over barricades before being arrested.The protest by the opposition is based on claims that the EC is not doing enough to provide free elections, something the poll body has strongly denied. With tensions building up, Monday’s arrests mark escalating political confrontation in the runup to the general elections.
