New Delhi: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained by Delhi Police on Wednesday after a dramatic standoff during the INDIA bloc’s protest at Jantar Mantar over the voter-list revision and the demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Gandhis and other opposition MPs were stopped while heading to the designated protest site after a lunch meeting hosted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Police said prior permission was required for a protest at Jantar Mantar.

Rahul, Priyanka removed after sit-in

Police initially took Rahul Gandhi and other leaders into a waiting bus as they moved to detain protesters.

However, several INDIA bloc leaders got off the buses and sat on the road, refusing to leave. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those who staged the sit-in, with Priyanka lying down on the road as police attempted to clear the protesters.

The two were eventually removed by police and taken away in buses along with other protesters.

Rahul: ‘My goal is 100 FIRs’

Speaking during the protest, Rahul Gandhi hit back at the cases registered against him over the demonstrations.

“There are 45 FIRs against me. My goal is 100,” he said, according to reports.

Gandhi also reiterated the Opposition’s demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and accused the Election Commission of undermining democracy over the SIR exercise.

FIR against Gandhis over Tuesday protest

The latest detention came a day after Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi were booked in connection with their entry into the Akashvani Bhawan premises and a prolonged sit-in there on Tuesday.

The previous day, INDIA bloc MPs had attempted to march from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters but were stopped by police. Rahul and Priyanka then entered the nearby Akashvani Bhawan premises and staged a sit-in after being prevented from reaching the poll panel office.

Police cite prior permission requirement

Delhi Police said protests, demonstrations and sit-ins at Jantar Mantar require prior approval, with applications to be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi District, at least 10 days before the proposed event.

Police also cited restrictions on protests in parts of central Delhi.

Opposition keeps up pressure on CEC

The INDIA bloc’s demonstrations are part of a wider Opposition campaign against the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Opposition parties have demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, alleging irregularities in the revision exercise, while the Election Commission has rejected the allegations.

The repeated detentions in Delhi have intensified the confrontation between the Opposition and police over the protests.