Delhi Police began traffic diversions across central New Delhi on Monday as leaders and supporters of the Opposition INDIA bloc gathered for a planned march from the Barakhamba Road area towards the Supreme Court over allegations of electoral irregularities and the role of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The march, described by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as a movement for democracy, was expected to include Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and leaders of other Opposition parties. Several leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, were seen travelling with Gandhi before the gathering at Constitution Club of India.
According to the report, Opposition leaders planned to go to the Supreme Court and file a petition against the Chief Election Commissioner. The INDIA bloc has been protesting over what it calls “vote theft”, the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission. The allegations have been made by the Opposition and were not established as findings in the supplied report.
Gandhi said before the march that the protest was part of a continuing campaign rather than a one-day mobilisation. He said Opposition leaders would go to the Supreme Court and submit their petition against Gyanesh Kumar. The Opposition has also demanded action against alleged irregularities, the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner and a halt to the Special Intensive Revision process.
Delhi Police increased security around the proposed route and asked people to avoid several locations. Traffic diversions began from 6 am across approximately 30 roads, according to the report. Vehicles coming from Tilak Bridge were being turned back, while police personnel were deployed around Barakhamba Road, Mandi House and other areas connected to the mobilisation.
The restrictions also affected activity around legal institutions. A group of lawyers was reported to be marching on foot from Mandi House, while lawyers associated with the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party gathered at the Delhi High Court to read the Preamble to the Constitution. The developments followed protests during which several lawyers were detained and allegedly assaulted, according to the report.
The planned march continued despite an earlier decision by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant not to meet Kharge and Gandhi. The Opposition leaders had sought an appointment to raise their allegations and submit a memorandum. The Chief Justice reportedly said that matters connected with the issue were already pending before the Supreme Court.
The immediate impact of the mobilisation was on movement through central Delhi, where police restrictions, diversions and additional security deployments affected commuters and motorists. Delhi Police had appealed to residents to keep away from the identified protest locations. The next formal step identified in the report was the INDIA bloc’s proposed filing before the Supreme Court.
