High drama unfolded in the national capital on Monday when Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav jumped over police barricades during the INDIA bloc’s protest march against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar and alleged “voter fraud” in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister was seen climbing and leaping over barricades set up by Delhi Police to stop MPs from proceeding towards the Election Commission’s office at Nirvachan Sadan. “They are using the police to stop us,” Yadav shouted after crossing to the other side.
Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain alleged that the police were “arresting” MPs attempting to reach the EC. “We are not being allowed to meet the Election Commission. More than 300 MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are marching here. Police are arresting the MPs and stopping us from meeting the EC,” he claimed.
Senior INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar, joined the march, which began from Parliament’s Makar Dwar under the leadership of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. MPs chanted “vote chor” slogans while demanding that the EC address their concerns over alleged voter theft.
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav alleged that democracy was under threat. “In UP by-elections on 10 Vidhan Sabha seats, not only were votes stolen, but booths were captured. Why didn’t the Election Commission act against officers working on the orders of the state government?” she asked.
Delhi Police, however, stated that no permission had been sought for the march.