Rahul Gandhi Leads Protest Demanding Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner

In a significant protest, Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders marched towards the Election Commission of India, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration was sparked by allegations of irregularities in the voter roll revision process. Gandhi's bold actions, including climbing a police barricade while waving the national flag, drew attention and support from gathered supporters. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized the opposition's commitment to fighting for democracy, while other leaders voiced strong criticisms against the CEC. This protest highlights ongoing tensions surrounding electoral integrity in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 6, 2026, 13:22 IST

Protest at Election Commission Headquarters

New Delhi: On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, took a bold step by climbing over a police barricade while waving the national flag. This act occurred as members of the INDIA bloc marched towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

During the protest, both Rahul Gandhi and his sister, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were reportedly detained by law enforcement, according to various news channels.

Numerous Congress leaders and MPs were seen being loaded onto buses at the protest site, with two buses stationed outside the ECI office. Many opposition parliamentarians were taken away from the demonstration area.

Gandhi navigated through a significant crowd of opposition leaders and supporters gathered for the protest, making his way towards Nirvachan Sadan, the ECI headquarters. As he advanced, protesters chanted slogans against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation due to alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter rolls.

The march commenced from the Parliament complex, with participants carrying Tricolours and banners proclaiming ‘Save Democracy’. They voiced their discontent against the CEC as they approached the election panel’s office.

While attempting to reach the ECI headquarters, Gandhi encountered multiple layers of police barricades. He eventually climbed onto one of the barricades, waving the Tricolour, which elicited enthusiastic support from the gathered INDIA bloc leaders and workers.

After being halted from proceeding to the election office, he sat down in protest. Later, he once again climbed the police barricade to wave the national flag.

Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized that the opposition would persist in its efforts to ‘save democracy’ and affirmed the INDIA bloc's commitment to ongoing protests.

Kharge stated, “This is a fight; we will keep fighting, and we will throw these thieves out. We are fully determined to save democracy, and we are fighting for democracy and nothing else.”

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari remarked, “Given the deletion of 13 crore votes, the theft of votes, and the misuse of Form 6, Gyanesh Kumar does not belong in the Election Commission office but rather in Tihar Jail…”