The INDIA bloc’s march to the Election Commission headquarters was stopped by police barricades on October 6. The opposition MPs then sat on a dharna at Akashvani Bhawan. The protest lasted about seven to eight hours.

Police detained around 260 people, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. They were taken to Kingsway Camp and released around 10 pm. The Delhi Police said no permission was sought or granted for the march.

The opposition was protesting against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The INDIA bloc says the revision drive could delete genuine voters. The protest also targeted the ECI’s handling of meetings with opposition leaders.

The detained MPs raised slogans against the government during the dharna. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge later called a lunch meeting for opposition MPs. They will sign a joint letter seeking an audience with the Chief Election Commissioner.

The opposition says it will continue to press the ECI on the revision drive. More protests are being planned. The Commission has said the drive is routine.