“This is how they treat members of Parliament who are asking simply to meet the election commissioners. This is how they treat us. They are beating members of Parliament,” Priyanka said. She alleged that police personnel had scratched her and thrown protesters to the ground, adding that she would not leave until the forces were withdrawn.
Opposition MPs had earlier met for lunch at a restaurant in central Delhi before boarding buses for Jantar Mantar. Several leaders were detained after police blocked their route. The Congress later claimed that party workers had punctured the tyre of the bus carrying Rahul near Agrasen ki Baoli.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge shared photographs and a video of the detention, accusing the Modi government and ECI of acting in concert against democratic institutions. “To save the Constitution and democracy, the Congress Party and the opposition are ready to take to the streets as many times as needed, face arrests, or endure legal cases,” Kharge said on X. He called for resignations and action, adding that an “arrogant regime cannot hold out for long against the fervour of the people”.
Congress general-secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh also condemned the police action, saying Opposition leaders had been dragged away while trying to reach Jantar Mantar to protest what he described as the capture of the electoral system through the chief election commissioner.
Ramesh accused the government of showing contempt for the Constitution and democracy, and criticised the treatment of elected representatives.
With PTI inputs
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