INDIA Bloc's protest against the Election Commission continues for a third day in Delhi as Opposition MPs and leaders reached Raj Ghat on Thursday evening to hold a sit-in protest demanding Chief Election Commisoner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Lok Sabh LoP Rahul Gandhi had earlier said the protests would continue until Kumar resigned, asserting that the opposition was fighting to protect the country's electoral system.
The opposition protests have witnessed dramatic scenes over the past two days. On Wednesday, MPs were stopped by security personnel during a march, leading to a standoff outside the Shangri-La hotel. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sat on the road holding a copy of the Constitution, while Rahul resisted attempts by police to detain him.
On Tuesday, INDIA bloc MPs had marched from Parliament, following which Gandhi staged an eight-hour sit-in at Akashvani Bhawan. The protest shifted to Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is hosting a lunch for INDIA bloc leaders at a restaurant in Delhi on Thursday for the second consecutive day, sources said.
The lunch, scheduled at Moets in Connaught Place's Outer Circle at 1:45 pm, is likely to be followed by a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the sources said.
INDIA bloc leaders, led by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, took out an ‘Aakrosh March’ on Thursday to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protesters marched from Shaheed Smarak in front of the state assembly towards Lok Bhavan but were stopped by police near the office of the chief electoral officer, officials said.
The agitation, branded as 'Aakrosh March', is centred around the demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
A Delhi Police constable, Ankit Kasana, on Thursday alleged that he was attacked and bitten by demonstrators during an opposition protest near Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.
Constable Ankit Kasana works with the Parliament Street police station and was deployed for crowd control near Jantar Mantar follwing the INDIA bloc MPs' demonstration. The situation escalated after security personnel detained Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Adressing the media, constable Kasana alleged that some Congress supporters blocked the way and would lie down in front of the car.
Kasana further added that about 30 to 35 people, both men and women, surrounded him while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was being detained. He alleged that the group abused him, tore his uniform, scratched him with their fingernails and bit him.
(ANI)
The 12-hour Odisha bandh called by political parties under INDIA bloc crippled normal life and disrupted transport services across Odisha on Thursday.
In Bhubaneswar, the protestors held demonstrations near Station Square, burnt tyres and stopped the citizens, including women, who were traveling on their own vehicles.
The bandh has been called by the opposition parties under the INDIA bloc to demand repealing the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 (MMDR Amendment Act), dismissal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, resignation of Odisha School and Mass Education Minister Nityanand Gond and to provide immediate relief for flood victims.
(ENS)
#WATCH | Bhubaneswar, Odisha: State Congress President Bhakta Charan Das says, "... A bandh is being observed in Odisha demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar and in protest against Rahul Gandhi’s arrest yesterday. We are wearing black badges and standing in a road blockade. In Bhubaneswar, we have relaxed the bandh slightly to avoid inconvenience to tourists, but the bandh is being observed across the state, in every district, town and panchayat headquarters..."
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2026
#WATCH | Delhi | Police personnel deployed at Raj Ghat as Congress and Opposition MPs are expected to reach here to pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi https://t.co/gl3yupaQRd
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2026
With the AAP and DMK staying away from the INDIA bloc's protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday urged the two parties to set aside their differences with the Congress and fight against "dictatorship".
In an editorial in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana', the party said the entire country has been witnessing protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Congress and other INDIA bloc MPs on Thursday began arriving at the restaurant for a second consecutive lunch meeting, with Opposition leaders set to discuss their next course of action in their ongoing protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The leaders are expected to proceed to Rajghat after the meeting.
Ahead of the lunch, security is beefed up outside the restaurant as Opposition leaders and MPs began arriving for the lunch meeting hosted by Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
Earlier, Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh said the INDIA bloc would continue its protest against Gyanesh Kumar and asserted that the Opposition was "not going back".
"And today also, we have a strong protest, an aggressive protest against Gyanesh Kumar. We are not going back," Suresh said.
Suresh said the next strategy would be decided by the INDIA bloc leadership during the meeting and the subsequent protest would be led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders.
(ANI)
#WATCH | Delhi: Congress MP K Suresh says, "... Today also, we are continuing our protest against Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner. Yesterday was the first day, and we had an aggressive protest against Gyanesh Kumar. Today, the INDIA Bloc leaders will meet and decide to continue the protest..."
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2026
Sources in the INDIA bloc told that MPs from the alliance will meet for lunch at Moets restaurant in Connaught Place.
Those expected to attend include TMC’s Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra, CPI(M)’s John Brittas, IUML’s ET Mohammed Basheer, CPI’s P Sandosh Kumar, and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge.
NSUI members and activists stages a protest outside MOETS restaurant against CEC.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said MPs of the INDIA bloc would hold a peaceful sit-in at Gandhi Smarak (Rajghat) after a lunch meeting of opposition leaders at Moets restaurant in Connaught Place.
Kharge said the MPs would pray for wisdom for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the BJP government, alleging that their actions were not in the country's interest.
He cited alleged "vote theft", rising inflation and problems faced by the country's youth as key concerns behind the protest.
VIDEO | Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) after hosting a lunch at Moets restaurant in Connaught Place for INDIA bloc leaders, says, "We all, the MPs of the INDIA alliance, are going to Gandhi Smarak, where we will hold a sit-in, and peacefully sitting there, we will only pray that the BJP government, Modi, and Shah are given wisdom, and that what they are doing is not in the interest of the country, whether it is the matter of vote theft, or the rising inflation in the country today, and the problem of the youth..." (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd) #Delhi #INDIAbloc #CEC #Protest
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 8, 2026
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that the Narendra Modi government had prevented Opposition MPs from holding peaceful protests for the past two days and accused the BJP-led establishment of “hijacking India” and “stealing votes”.
Gandhi said around 300 MPs from the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha wanted to stage a peaceful protest but had been stopped from doing so.
“We have been prevented from protesting for two days now. On the first day, we were stopped outside the Election Commission. Subsequently, we expressed our desire to protest at Jantar Mantar, yet yesterday, as you witnessed, we were stopped there as well; our people were assaulted,” he said.
Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had “hijacked India through a criminal conspiracy”, destroyed the Constitution and “stolen votes”.
He said the Opposition would take action against those responsible and assured people that they would be held accountable.
“We, the Opposition, assure you that action will be taken. They will be brought to justice. This is our guarantee. You will see these four individuals brought to justice,” Gandhi said.
#WATCH | Delhi: LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi says, "Around 300 MPs—from the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha—wish to stage a peaceful protest. We have been prevented from protesting for two days now. On the first day, we were stopped outside the Election Commission. Subsequently, we expressed our desire to protest at Jantar Mantar, yet yesterday, as you witnessed, we were stopped there as well; our people were assaulted. The reality is that Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Gyanesh Kumar, and Mohan Bhagwat have hijacked India through a criminal conspiracy, destroyed the Constitution, and stolen votes. We, the Opposition, assure you that action will be taken. They will be brought to justice. This is our guarantee. You will see these four individuals brought to justice"
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2026
The Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena-UBT and NCP-SP, which were absent from Wednesday's meeting, attended Thursday's lunch.
The opposition's protest against the Election Commission entered its third consecutive day in Delhi on Thursday. The INDIA bloc has been demanding Kumar's resignation, alleging that the electoral process has been compromised.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier said the protests would continue until Kumar resigned, asserting that the opposition was fighting to protect the country's electoral system.
The opposition protests have witnessed dramatic scenes over the past two days. On Wednesday, MPs were stopped by security personnel during a march, leading to a standoff outside the Shangri-La hotel. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sat on the road holding a copy of the Constitution, while Rahul Gandhi resisted attempts by police to detain him.
On Tuesday, INDIA bloc MPs had marched from Parliament, following which Gandhi staged an eight-hour sit-in at Akashvani Bhawan. The protest shifted to Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.
Visuals from inside the bus show INDIA bloc members sloganeering as they continue their journey towards Raj Ghat to protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
VIDEO | Visuals from inside the bus as INDIA bloc leaders head towards Raj Ghat to continue protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. #INDIAblocprotest #RajGhat https://t.co/6zNV2WNFbp
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 8, 2026
Buses carrying INDIA bloc MPs reach Raj Ghat. The MPs are going to hold a sit-in protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
VIDEO | Buses carrying INDIA bloc MPs reach Raj Ghat. The MPs are going to hold a sit-in protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. #ElectionCommission #INDIAblocprotest https://t.co/HvXmOxBLty
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 8, 2026
The BJP on Thursday accused Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of manhandling police personnel during their recent protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that Rahul Gandhi "inappropriately touched" a woman constable and Priyanka Gandhi "punched" a female police officer.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, party spokesperson Sidharth Yadav described the alleged incidents as "totally unacceptable" and accused the Congress of spreading "anarchy" in the national capital.
Yadav alleged that visuals from the protests showed Congress workers kicking and assaulting police personnel. He questioned whether the alleged conduct of the Gandhi siblings was consistent with their slogans of "smash the patriarchy" and "Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon".
"The conduct of Rahul Gandhi in inappropriately touching a female constable is totally unacceptable," Yadav said, while alleging that Priyanka Gandhi punched a female police officer in the stomach.
Speaking to mediapersons at Raj Ghat, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to the voice of the country and stop trying to win elections through deceit with the help of the Election Commission.
"The entire country is united today. The country demands Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. PM should bow before the nation and remember that he himself had called himself 'Pradhansevak'. As the Prime Minister, he should listen to the voice of the country and leave trying to win election through deceit with the help of Election Commission," Gogoi said.
#WATCH | INDIA bloc protest | Delhi: At Raj Ghat, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi says, "The entire country is united today. The country demands Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. PM should bow before the nation and remember that he himself had called himself 'Pradhansevak'. As the Prime Minister, he should listen to the voice of the country and leave trying to win election through deceit with the help of Election Commission."
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2026
Opposition MPs and leaders begin a peaceful sit-in protest at Raj Ghat demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Prior to the sit-in, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, along with other INDIA bloc leaders, paid tribute at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Raj Ghat.
INDIA गठबंधन के सांसदों ने आज राजघाट में शांतिपूर्वक धरना दिया। यहां उन्होंने बापू को नमन करते हुए मोदी सरकार को सद्बुद्धि देने की प्रार्थना की।
— Congress (@INCIndia) October 8, 2026
मोदी, शाह और ज्ञानेश कुमार मिलकर जनता से वोट का अधिकार छीन रहे हैं। हम ऐसा कतई नहीं होने देंगे।
📍 दिल्ली pic.twitter.com/ubPg4XwtNH
After paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said the INDIA bloc leaders prayed for "good sense to prevail" upon CEC Gyanesh Kumar, while seeking to protect voters’ rights and democracy.
"Today, in a very peaceful manner, all the Opposition MPs of the INDIA Alliance came to Rajghat, offered prayers and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. We prayed for good sense to prevail upon this government. We prayed for good sense to prevail upon Gyanesh Kumar. We prayed to protect the vote of every voter in this country. We prayed to protect democracy." Khera told reporters amid INDIA bloc's protest.
VIDEO | Delhi: After paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat, Congress MP Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) says, “Today, in a very peaceful manner, all the Opposition MPs of the INDIA Alliance came to Rajghat, offered prayers and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. We prayed for good sense to prevail upon this government. We prayed for good sense to prevail upon Gyanesh Kumar. We prayed to protect the vote of every voter in this country. We prayed to protect democracy.” (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 8, 2026
