New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of protecting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, as the INDIA bloc prepared to march to the Supreme Court over alleged vote theft and concerns about the Election Commission's functioning.

Questioning the heavy security deployment and restrictions in the national capital, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha asked, “Why is Delhi jailed?” He alleged that people were being prevented from reaching Delhi and that the city had been turned into a fortress ahead of the opposition's planned protest.

Speaking at a press conference at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters, Gandhi said the agitation against alleged electoral irregularities had grown into a public movement in Delhi over the past four to five days.

“We want to show the country that the government, PM Narendra Modi, is protecting Gyanesh Kumar,” he said, alleging that the government's approach was a major mistake.

The INDIA bloc's planned march, called “Chalo Dilli: March for Democracy”, is directed against alleged vote theft and the functioning of the Election Commission under Gyanesh Kumar.

Rahul Gandhi questions Delhi security restrictions

Gandhi questioned why the national capital was under such tight security, alleging that people travelling to Delhi by train and bus were being stopped and asked to get off.

He claimed that around 20,000 to 30,000 police personnel had been deployed across the city, describing the security arrangements as an attempt to restrict the opposition's mobilisation.

High security was in place in central Delhi ahead of the planned march. Barricades were erected at multiple locations, while security personnel from the Delhi Police, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed in the area.

Entry and exit at certain Metro stations were also scheduled to remain closed until 4 pm on October 12 for security reasons.
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INDIA bloc plans Supreme Court petition over CEC

Gandhi said he and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had written to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), expressing concern over what they described as threats to democracy and electoral fairness.

According to Gandhi, the CJI responded and advised them to file a petition. He said INDIA bloc leaders would approach the Supreme Court together to submit it.

The opposition has accused the Election Commission of facilitating alleged “vote chori” (vote theft), a charge that remains a political allegation.

Gandhi also claimed that sections of the security forces and the public supported the protest.

“Exactly 50% of the police personnel are telling us that what we are doing is right and we should continue,” he said, referring to personnel from the police, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the CRPF.

He accused Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Gyanesh Kumar of standing on the opposite side of the movement, alleging that the Election Commission was facilitating vote theft.

The Election Commission's functioning and the opposition's allegations remain at the centre of the political confrontation.
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Rahul Gandhi hails MPSC chairman's exit amid corruption row

Separately, Gandhi welcomed the Maharashtra government's decision to send Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) chairman Vivek Bhimanwar on compulsory leave pending an inquiry into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

In a post on X, Gandhi called the development a victory for students, young people and the Satyagraha movement, adding that a full investigation into alleged corruption should now take place.

The decision followed an 11-day protest by MPSC aspirants in Pune over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks.

The Maharashtra government has also formed a five-member committee headed by retired Bombay High Court judge Dilip Bhosale to investigate the allegations and examine candidates' complaints.

However, Gandhi's principal political challenge on Monday was directed at the Centre and the Election Commission, with the INDIA bloc seeking to take its concerns over electoral fairness to the Supreme Court.

(With ANI inputs)