India News Live Updates, 6 October 2026 | ‘Why is EC not meeting us?’: Rahul Gandhi leads Delhi sit-in

INDIA bloc MPs are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was seen climbing on top of barricades and raising the national flag during the INDIA bloc’s march to the Election Commission headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday. The Opposition was marching from Parliament Street to the EC headquarters, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over concerns about voter list manipulation.

Several opposition MPs were detained by Delhi police and taken away in buses to different police stations. These detainees included Akhilesh Yadav, Abhishek Banerjee, Kalyan Banerjee, Derek O’Brien, Imran Masood, P Santosh and A Rahim. As the protest escalated, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with some supporters, entered the Akashvani Bhawan premises while attempting to reach the Election Commission headquarters. Congress leaders Pawan Khera and other party workers also remained at the premises.

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Rahul Gandhi, speaking to media persons from inside Akashvani Bhawan, said the opposition was fighting to “save democracy”. “We are not only countering them. I have no interest in what the BJP is saying. I’m standing here to save democracy. Other MPs are also trying the same,” Gandhi said. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had “finished democracy” in the country. “Youth of our country have understood this. Even the police officers were also telling me the same thing. They have done vote chori and hijacked the elections,” Gandhi alleged.

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◆ Opposition's CEC Protest ◆
Rahul Gandhi says Gyanesh Kumar abused powers, BJP calls remarks ‘full of lies’Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said it “is now established beyond doubt that Gyanesh Kumar changed Form 6 illegally and unilaterally”.Read the full story →
Rahul Gandhi stands with ‘Gyanesh, it’s done bro’ placardCongress MP borrows scathing putdown first tweeted by Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and his calls for Gyanesh Kumar to resign.Read the full story →
Naveen Patnaik’s BJD joins Opposition’s Election Commission protestPatnaik has sent Manas Mangraj and Sulata Deo to join protests that have erupted in central Delhi Tuesday.Read the full story →
INDIA bloc's EC march was over. Then, Gandhis did this Congress leaders have credited Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra with derailing the police plan to end the protest.Read the full story →
Multiple groups, moving crowds: Why cops faced big challengeThe agitation has seen student activists, politicians and civil society members making repeated attempts to march towards ‘restricted areas’ in central Delhi.Read the full story →

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Live Updates
Oct 6, 2026 04:23 PM IST
'Where can I sit?' Rahul Gandhi questions police during INDIA Bloc protest

Standing inside Akashvani Bhavan premises, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he had asked the police where he could sit without being removed.

"I told the police, 'I was sitting over there earlier. You removed me from there. Now I have come here, and you want to remove me from here too.' I am simply asking the police—fine, if you want to remove me from here, go ahead—but just tell me: where in this country can I sit? I just want to sit somewhere," Gandhi said.

"I asked the police politely: Please tell me where I can sit. Can I sit at India Gate? Can I sit at Jantar Mantar? Can I sit on the road? Where can I sit? Just name a place, and I will sit there," he added.

Oct 6, 2026 04:12 PM IST
‘Stop this drama’: Kiren Rijiju to Rahul Gandhi over INDIA Bloc protest

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, reacting to the INDIA Bloc's protest against the Chief Election Commissioner, said the "drama" by Rahul Gandhi and his colleagues should stop. "How long will this drama go on?" Rijiju said.

"My request to Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party is to stop propagating the narratives of anti-India forces. Foreign powers and anti-India elements constantly push narratives to weaken India, discredit its constitutional institutions, and mislead its people. The Congress, at the very least, should not echo these narratives," he said.

Rijiju said the country was moving towards becoming a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) and claimed that "simply being born into a certain family will no longer make you Prime Minister."

"The youth of the country have changed; with a new mindset, they are marching forward under Modi-ji's leadership to build a developed India by 2047," he said.

"Why stage dramas by attacking the Election Commission, the Supreme Court, and constitutional institutions? This charade will not work. If the Congress wishes to regain any remaining public mandate, it should focus on service. Narratives on social media won't suffice," Rijiju added.

Oct 6, 2026 03:50 PM IST
'We only want to meet Gyanesh Kumar and the other two Election Commissioners': Rahul Gandhi

"We only want to meet Gyanesh Kumar and the other two Election Commissioners. We are all the Opposition MPs, from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and we only want to speak to them. The Election Commission does not want to speak to us. Crores of people have voted for us. We only want to ask questions to the Election Commission. But they do not want to answer," Rahul Gandhi said.

Oct 6, 2026 03:12 PM IST
NSUI, Congress workers protest outside Akashvani Bhawan

NSUI and Congress workers have gathered outside Akashvani Bhawan and are raising slogans, while Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra remain inside the building.

Oct 6, 2026 03:08 PM IST
'They have finished democracy’: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, speaking to media persons from inside Akashvani Bhawan, said the opposition was fighting to "save democracy".

"We are not only countering them. I have no interest in what the BJP is saying. I’m standing here to save democracy. Other MPs are also trying the same," Gandhi said.

"Here, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs have assembled, as we wanted to meet the ECs, but the police stopped us. We represent the voice of this nation. But 300 MPs were stopped here. EC office is just 50 m away from here. But we are not allowed to go there. Gyanesh Kumar is scared. I don't understand what's happening here. If opposition can't meet the ECs, then what's the point of democracy," he added.

He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had "finished democracy" in the country.

"Youth of our country have understood this. Even the police officers were also telling me the same thing. They have done vote chori and hijacked the elections," Gandhi alleged.

Oct 6, 2026 02:29 PM IST
Delhi Police detain Congress workers, MPs as Rahul, Priyanka sit inside Akashvani Bhawan

Delhi Police detained Congress workers from Parliament Street as the INDIA bloc protest escalated. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Pawan Khera, Charanjeet Singh Channi and Deepender Hooda remained inside Akashvani Bhawan. Around 20 MPs, including Akhilesh Yadav, Abhishek Banerjee, Kalyan Banerjee, Derek O’Brien, Imran Masood, P Santosh and A Rahim, have been detained and taken to different police stations.

Oct 6, 2026 02:27 PM IST
In Pics | Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi sit on dharna inside Akaashvani office

Express Photo by Abhinav Saha

Oct 6, 2026 01:29 PM IST
CJP alleges police notices to activists ahead of October 10 Delhi protest

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that Chandrapur police had issued notices to party activists, questioning their travel expenses and asking them not to attend the group’s proposed October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Dipke questioned how police could presume the agitation would turn violent. The CJP has announced the protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over irregularities in SIR of electoral rolls.

Oct 6, 2026 12:50 PM IST
Rahul, Priyanka enter Akashvani Bhawan premises

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra along with some supporters, entered the Akashvani Bhawan premises under a tree while trying to reach the poll panel’s headquarters. The leaders and other opposition MPs had earlier been stopped by security personnel near the NITI Aayog office on Parliament Street during the protest seeking Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

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Oct 6, 2026 12:46 PM IST
Priyank Kharge says BJP using ‘every toolkit’ to destroy Constitution

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the Congress was using “every little ounce of energy” to protect the Constitution, while accusing the BJP of trying to undermine it. On the INDIA bloc MPs’ march to the Election Commission, Kharge called it an “unprecedented march” and questioned the Delhi Police’s action against protesters, alleging that the BJP was protecting the poll panel.

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Oct 6, 2026 12:43 PM IST
Karnataka NSUI protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, seeks resignation

The Karnataka unit of the NSUI staged a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over irregularities in electoral rolls revision. The Congress-affiliated student body raised concerns over the SIR exercise and called for greater transparency, fairness and accountability in the electoral process. The protest coincided with the INDIA bloc’s march to the Election Commission office in Delhi.

Oct 6, 2026 12:40 PM IST
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka face-off with Delhi cops as EC protest escalate

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra evaded police personnel as the INDIA bloc’s protest in Delhi escalated. The Opposition MPs were protesting over irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election.

Oct 6, 2026 12:39 PM IST
BJD sends Manas Mangraj, Sulata Deo to INDIA bloc protest in Delhi

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), led by Naveen Patnaik, sent its leaders Manas Mangraj and Sulata Deo to Delhi to participate in the opposition INDIA bloc’s protest over electoral roll revision and irregularities.

Read the full article here.

Oct 6, 2026 12:35 PM IST
Rahul Gandhi climbs barricades during INDIA bloc march to ECI demanding CEC's resignation

Express Photos by Abhinav Saha

Oct 6, 2026 12:29 PM IST
237 MPs participated in protest, says Congress whip Manickam Tagore

Speaking to The Indian Express, Congress whip in the Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore said 237 MPs from both Houses of Parliament participated in the Opposition protest over resignation of Chief Election and irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.

Oct 6, 2026 12:11 PM IST
Priyanka Gandhi, MPs detained from Delhi protest

Delhi Police detained Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rahul Gandhi and several other INDIA bloc MPs after they were march towards the Election Commission headquarters. Buses carrying the detained leaders were subsequently seen being driven away. The Opposition MPs were protesting over irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election.

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Oct 6, 2026 11:59 AM IST
Kharge joins INDIA bloc protest, says fight will continue to ‘protect your vote and freedom’

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge joined the INDIA bloc protest and said the agitation would continue to “protect your vote and your freedom”. Kharge alleged that voters across the country were reporting deletion of their names and “vote theft”, saying the priority was to safeguard democracy. He said the demand for the resignation of the Election Commission leadership would follow, and asserted that the protest was not limited to INDIA bloc leaders as people had gathered over concerns about their votes and freedom.

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Oct 6, 2026 11:54 AM IST
INDIA bloc march to EC stopped in front of NITI Aayog office

Visuals of the INDIA bloc’s march to the EC headquarters stopped by security personnel in front of the NITI Aayog office in central Delhi. The opposition MPs were stopped as they proceeded towards the EC office after which several leaders gathered at the spot.

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Oct 6, 2026 11:45 AM IST
Derek O’Brien, KC Venugopal argue with cops over ECI march

Derek O’Brien and KC Venugopal were seen arguing with police officers seeking permission to march to the ECI office today.

Oct 6, 2026 11:42 AM IST
BJD to join Opposition march against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over SIR, voter deletions

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will join the Opposition parties’ protest march in Delhi today against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over SIR of electoral rolls.

Oct 6, 2026 11:39 AM IST
‘Gyanesh, it’s done bro. Time to resign’: Rahul Gandhi at INDIA bloc protest

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Oct 6, 2026 11:35 AM IST
Akhilesh Yadav accuses EC of ‘dishonesty’ in past elections, cites Chandigarh row in Delhi protest

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the Election Commission of acting dishonestly during elections in 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2024, while speaking during the INDIA bloc’s protest march in Delhi. Yadav also alleged that the poll panel had played a “completely brazen game” in West Bengal and referred to the Chandigarh mayoral election controversy, asking, “Who can forget the Chandigarh manoeuvre?”

Express Photos by Abhinav Saha

Oct 6, 2026 11:22 AM IST
NDIA bloc MPs sit on dharna after march to EC halted

INDIA bloc MPs staged a dharna at Parliament Street after their march from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters was stopped. The opposition leaders were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.

Oct 6, 2026 11:10 AM IST
INDIA bloc MPs begin march from Parliament to ECI, demand CEC’s resignation

INDIA bloc MPs, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, marched from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. The march took place amid heavy security and barricading in and around Parliament and the ECI office. The opposition stepped up its attack on Kumar after the Supreme Court said it had not approved any modified version of Form 6 and would examine the poll panel’s records to determine whether changes were made and who authorised them.

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Oct 6, 2026 10:58 AM IST
Samajwadi Party won’t field a third candidate for Rajya Sabha polls

After a week-long suspense, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav announced that the party is not fielding a third candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls. Today is the last day for filing nominations for the biennial polls. The SP has already fielded party veteran Ram Gopal Yadav and Reliance Industries executive Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani, who have filed their nominations in Lucknow. The BJP Monday had announced eight candidates leaving out Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and B L Verma, whose terms in the Upper House are set to end next month.

Oct 6, 2026 10:53 AM IST
Central Delhi roads blocked ahead of INDIA bloc march to ECI

Several roads in central Delhi were blocked ahead of the INDIA bloc’s march from Makar Dwar to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Security forces have been deployed at key junctions, while police have barricaded the Indian Youth Congress office to prevent workers from joining the march.

Oct 6, 2026 09:46 AM IST
Light rain in Delhi today

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Oct 6, 2026 09:34 AM IST
High Court case today

CBI's petition challenging discharge of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia and others in the liquor policy scam case.

Oct 6, 2026 09:32 AM IST
Four of family killed as SUV collides with truck in UP

Four members of a family, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed and three others seriously injured after their SUV collided with a truck on the Purkazi-Laksar road in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar late Monday night. The family was returning from Laksar to Muzaffarnagar when the accident occurred. The injured were taken to a hospital, while the truck driver was arrested. The bodies have been sent for postmortem. (PTI)

Oct 6, 2026 08:46 AM IST
CJP to hold massive protest from October 10, says ‘will not back down’

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das said a massive mobilisation of Gen Z and youth will begin from October 10 over voter deletions and raising concerns over unemployment. Das alleged that voters could find their names deleted from electoral rolls and said, “will not back down”, the youth will continue protesting until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns. He said the protest call may have come from the CJP, but the movement belongs to the country’s youth.

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Oct 6, 2026 08:46 AM IST
INDIA bloc leaders to meet President Murmu over SIR today

INDIA bloc MPs are set to march to the Election Commission headquarters in New Delhi today, while its leaders will meet President Droupadi Murmu to raise concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Security has been tightened around the EC office and other locations across the capital since Friday following calls for protests by opposition parties and other organisations.

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