New Delhi: It was high-voltage political drama in the Parliament today (Monday) as senior Opposition MPs were detained during protests over alleged irregularities in Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list.
LoP Rahul Gandhi detained
Delhi Police took into custody Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, as the INDIA bloc’s demonstration spilled into New Delhi’s streets. Joint Commissioner of Police Deepak Purohit confirmed the detentions but declined to provide numbers, saying, “Detained INDIA bloc leaders have been taken to a nearby police station.” He also noted that the protest had no police permission.
‘Vote Chori’: Over 300 MPs participated
Over 300 Opposition MPs joined the march from Parliament to the Election Commission of India (ECI) office. Among them was Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, seen vaulting barricades after being stopped. Protesters wore caps marked ‘Vote Chori’ and ‘SIR’ raised slogans, and sang the national anthem before attempting to proceed.
The protest followed Rahul Gandhi’s recent claim that elections were “stolen” in states like Maharashtra through manipulation. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said Gandhi had asked “serious questions” that demanded clear answers from the ECI to protect public confidence in polls.
TMC MPs faint in detention
Visuals showed crowds of politicians and party workers waving placards, chanting, and pushing against barricades. The rally was halted near Transport Bhawan and later along Sansad Marg. Additional drama unfolded as two Trinamool Congress MPs, including Mahua Moitra, fainted. Another TMC MP, Mitali Bag, collapsed and was assisted into a car by Rahul Gandhi for medical aid.
BJP hits back
The BJP retaliated, accusing Congress of “throwing mud and running away” and saying the party was unsettled by repeated poll defeats.
While the ECI has not yet commented on today’s events, the march underlines a widening political fault line ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled in Bihar later this year.
