A sudden decision by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to enter central Delhi’s Akashvani Bhawan, near the Election Commission office, during an INDIA bloc protest on Tuesday, without informing alliance partners, has caused unease within the Opposition ranks, with some allies feeling the joint demonstration was reduced to a Gandhi siblings’ show.
Congress leaders, speaking privately, conceded that they decided to go to Akashvani Bhawan, the headquarters of All India Radio (AIR), on the spur of the moment, so they could not inform alliance partners in time.
They said they regretted the suspicion the move had created among allies.
On their way to Nirvachan Sadan, the EC office, INDIA bloc MPs first staged a protest inside Parliament and then marched out via Parivahan Bhawan, which houses the road transport ministry. Police stopped them as they moved past the Reserve Bank of India building, after which the leaders sat down for a dharna on the spot. When word spread that only Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders were on dharna, phone calls began across the alliance. The Trinamool Congress (Mamata Banerjee faction) sent Derek O’Brien to Akashvani Bhawan, while the Samajwadi Party sent Rampur MP Mohibbullah Nadvi. Some Congress leaders, however, argued that in the present circumstances it was difficult to stage pre-planned protests, and that an element of surprise was necessary to keep demonstrations fresh. Congress leaders also pointed out that similar surprise protests had been held at the Prime Minister’s residence and at the Parliament Street police station, and alliance partners had joined those only later, back in July when paper leaks had spurred a youth movement led by the Cockroach Janta Party. Congress leaders indicated that such surprise protests by Rahul Gandhi and the party would continue.
They claimed the Congress-led protests resulted in the Education Minister having to resign on July 25, though the CJP also claims primary credit for it. Earlier reporting noted: The development came a day after at least 300 Opposition lawmakers marched from Parliament towards Nirvachan Sadan, demanding Kumar’s resignation. Police stopped the march outside the ECI headquarters and detained more than 250 protesters.
They said that if Congress failed to inform an ally in time, that party should join on its own. A further probe is underway” a senior police officer said.
Earlier reporting noted: FIR against Rahul, Priyanka for entering Akashvani Bhawan without permission Delhi Police have registered a first information report (FIR) after receiving a complaint alleging that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with other MPs, entered the Akashvani Bhavan premises without permission during Tuesday’s Opposition protest against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Earlier reporting noted: “FIR has been registered under relevant sections.
