New Delhi: Political tensions reached a boiling point in the national capital on Monday as nearly 300 Opposition MPs, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, took to the streets to protest against alleged “vote chori” (vote theft) and electoral malpractices. The protest march, aimed at reaching the Election Commission headquarters (Nirvachan Sadan), was blocked midway by the Delhi Police, triggering chaos, detentions, and dramatic scenes.
Opposition’s Show of Strength Turns Chaotic
The protest began near Parliament with MPs carrying placards reading “SIR: Stealing Democratic Rights” and “Vote Chori”. Opposition leaders accused the Election Commission of India of colluding with the ruling BJP to manipulate electoral outcomes. Slogans echoed through the streets as leaders from the Congress, TMC, DMK, RJD, Left parties, and the Samajwadi Party marched in unison.
The situation escalated when police barricades halted the procession. Several leaders, including SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress MPs Mahua Moitra and Sushmita Dev, and Congress MPs Sanjana Jatav and Jothimani, were seen climbing over barricades, defying police instructions.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Among Leaders Detained
The Delhi Police detained multiple senior leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and party veteran Jairam Ramesh. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with other prominent leaders like TR Baalu (DMK), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena – UBT), and Derek O’Brien (TMC), also participated in the protest.
यूपी पुलिस भर्ती वाले नौजवान ट्वीट को रिट्वीट कर रहे हैं लेकिन लाइक नहीं कर रहे हैं
— Raju upman (@RajuupmanINC) August 11, 2025
रिट्वीट के साथ लाइक भी करेंगे तो अकाउंट को समस्या नहीं होगी आवाज और मजबूत उठेगी#up_police_bharti_2025 #UP_पुलिस_भर्ती #AkhileshYadav
#votechoriexposed#VoteChoripic.twitter.com/yLeiCs0yo4
Speaking to reporters before being taken away, Rahul Gandhi said,
“This fight is not political but for saving the Constitution. The truth is in front of the entire country.”
Mallikarjun Kharge echoed his sentiment, calling the BJP government a “cowardly dictatorship” and vowing to continue the fight to safeguard the right to vote.
Mahua Moitra and Mitali Baugh Collapse in Heat and Tension
Amid the chaos, two Trinamool Congress MPs — Mahua Moitra and Mitali Baugh — fainted during the sit-in protest. Party colleagues rushed to assist, pouring water and providing first aid. While Moitra recovered on-site, Mitali Baugh was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Electoral Manipulation Allegations Intensify
Opposition parties have been vocal in accusing the Election Commission of bias, claiming that its actions — or lack thereof — have aided the ruling BJP in undermining democratic processes. Monday’s protest was part of a larger campaign to hold the poll body accountable and demand reforms for fair elections.
The term “Vote Chori” has now become a rallying cry for the Opposition, symbolizing their broader fight against what they describe as systematic erosion of democratic values.
Political Reactions and Public Response
Social media was flooded with visuals from the protest — from leaders being dragged into police buses to dramatic scenes of MPs scaling barricades. The hashtag #VoteChori trended on Twitter (X) throughout the day, with supporters and critics exchanging heated remarks.
Political analysts say such high-profile confrontations are likely to increase as the country heads closer to the next general elections, making the Election Commission’s credibility a central political issue.
What Lies Ahead?
While Monday’s detentions have only intensified Opposition resolve, the government has so far maintained silence on the allegations. Whether the protest will translate into policy changes or electoral reforms remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly brought the debate on free and fair elections to the forefront
