Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Rijiju Criticizes Rahul Gandhi as INDIA Bloc Protests Election Commission
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, marched toward the Election Commission’s office to protest its decisions.
They are especially concerned about a process to revise voter lists called the Special Intensive Revision.
The protests began on October 2, and several leaders were briefly detained during a march.
Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the protest and said Rahul Gandhi should stop what he called political drama.
Rijiju argued that the Opposition attacks institutions when it does not win public support.
The Opposition says it is protesting alleged problems with the Election Commission’s decisions.
The Supreme Court did not temporarily stop Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from working.
It said it first needed to check the facts behind the allegations.
Kiren Rijiju criticized Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc MPs for protesting against the Election Commission.
Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders marched towards Nirvachan Sadan on October 6, as protests entered their fifth day.
The protests, which began on October 2, concern alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s decisions, particularly the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were briefly detained during the march.
The Supreme Court declined to temporarily restrain Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying it needed to verify the facts.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc and Opposition leaders; Kiren Rijiju; Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- Opposition MPs marched towards the Election Commission's office to protest alleged irregularities, while Rijiju criticized the protest.
- When
- The protests began October 2; the march and Rijiju's remarks were reported on October 6, 2026.
- Where
- The march was towards Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission's office in Delhi.
- Why
- The Opposition is protesting alleged irregularities in Election Commission decisions, particularly the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Opposition
Government and BJP
Election Commission decisions
Opposition
Opposition parties are protesting alleged irregularities in the poll body's decisions, particularly the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Government and BJP
Rijiju accused the Congress and Rahul Gandhi of attacking institutions, including the Election Commission; the BJP dismissed the march.
Purpose and effect of the protest
Opposition
The INDIA bloc is demonstrating against the Election Commission and demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Government and BJP
Rijiju called the protest political drama and said it would not strengthen democracy; Shivraj Singh Chouhan described it as an attempt to relaunch Rahul Gandhi and accused Congress of wanting to spread anarchy.
- Protest began
- October 2, 2026
- March date
- October 6, 2026
- Protest focus
- Alleged irregularities in Election Commission decisions, especially the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- March destination
- Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission's office
- Detentions
- Several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were briefly detained
- Supreme Court action
- Declined to issue an interim order restraining Gyanesh Kumar from functioning, saying facts needed to be verified