Live: Rahul Gandhi arrives for mega Opposition lunch at Janpath

Opposition ProtestOpposition Protest Live Updates: Opposition parties are set to intensify their protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission over allegations of “vote chori” and the ongoing electoral roll revision. The latest round of protests comes a day after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several INDIA bloc leaders were detained following an hours-long sit-in near the Election Commission office in New Delhi. The Opposition had attempted to march from Parliament towards the EC headquarters, demanding a meeting with the poll panel and raising allegations over electoral rolls. On Wednesday, the Aam Aadmi Party will join Congress, Left parties and other Delhi-based Opposition groups in a protest outside the Delhi CEO’s office at Kashmere Gate at 1 pm. AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bhardwaj has urged party workers and supporters to participate in large numbers....Read MoreHeavy security at Jantar Mantar as Opposition leaders gather for lunch meet. (Screen grab)Oct 7, 2026 14:42 ISTElection Commission SIR Row: Delhi Congress vows to keep protesting till Gyanesh Kumar is removedDelhi Congress workers on Wednesday marched from Panchkuian Marg to Connaught Place, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the ‘vote chori’ row. Led by Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav, the protesters accused the Election Commission of undermining democracy. Yadav and several party workers were detained by police during the demonstration. The party said it would continue protesting until Gyanesh Kumar is removed, asserting that it would not tolerate any attempt to “play with democracy”. Oct 7, 2026 14:36 ISTSIR Row Protest: Tejasvi Surya accuses Congress of targeting constitutional institutionsBJP MP Tejasvi Surya has hit out at the Congress and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi amid the Opposition’s protests over alleged “vote chori” and its criticism of the Election Commission. Surya accused the Congress of trying to create a sense of “anarchy” in the country and alleged that the party had been attacking constitutional institutions and functionaries. “The Congress Party and the Leader of Opposition seem hell-bent on creating a sense of anarchy in this country,” Surya said. He alleged that the Election Commission, judiciary, media and other constitutional institutions had faced a “relentless attack” from the Congress over the past decade. Oct 7, 2026 14:30 ISTINDIA Bloc Protest: AAP leaders, workers stopped by barricades near Kashmere GateAam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers were stopped by police barricades on Wednesday as they marched towards the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer’s office from the Sindhi Academy near Kashmere Gate. The protesters were demonstrating over allegations of “vote theft” and demanding action over their concerns regarding electoral rolls. #WATCH | Delhi | Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers stopped by placing barricades as they stage a protest march from the Sindhi Academy near Kashmere Gate toward the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), alleging vote theft https://t.co/9s1E1PLL4w — ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2026 Oct 7, 2026 14:22 ISTINDIA Alliance March: Kapil Sibal alleges Opposition leaders being targeted through detentionsRajya Sabha MP and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal on Wednesday criticised the government over what he described as a pattern of detaining political leaders who oppose it. “Since 2014, everybody who they don't like is being detained, and they embrace all those who come to them who are in the Opposition,” Sibal said. #WATCH | Delhi | Rajya Sabha MP & senior lawyer Kapil Sibal says, "Since 2014, everybody who they don't like is being detained, and they embrace all those who come to them who are in the opposition. See what has happened with the Punjab CM. This is their habit. This is their policy. Whatever the Congress will do, the Congress will do." — ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2026 Oct 7, 2026 14:15 ISTElection Commission SIR Row: Rahul Gandhi arrives at JanpathLeader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrive for the Opposition MPs’ meeting convened by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. #WATCH | Delhi | Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrive for the Opposition MPs' meeting called by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge https://t.co/Y6erZQFJnq — ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2026 Oct 7, 2026 14:12 ISTINDIA Alliance March: AAP begins protest at CEC office The Aam Aadmi Party, which stayed away from the INDIA bloc’s protest against the Election Commission of India on Tuesday, has begun a workers’ protest at the CEC office in Kashmiri Gate.Oct 7, 2026 14:10 ISTINDIA Bloc Protest Live: Ashoka Road roundabout access to ECI office blockedAccess to the ECI from the Ashoka Road roundabout was blocked as Opposition leaders met for lunch at Jantar Mantar. Oct 7, 2026 14:06 ISTElection Commission SIR Row: Heavy security at Kashmiri Gate Heavy police force was deployed at the CEC office in Kashmiri Gate as Delhi Congress and AAP held a joint protest. Oct 7, 2026 13:59 ISTINDIA Alliance March: CPI’s Sandosh Kumar vows to continue Opposition agitation against CECCPI MP P Sandosh Kumar said the Opposition’s strategy would not be disclosed ahead of the lunch meeting, where INDIA bloc leaders are expected to discuss their next course of action and take a decision. “Strategy means it should not be revealed. That is why we call it strategy. So we do not want to make it open. Just wait and see,” he said. Reacting to the FIR registered against Opposition leaders and their supporters over their march against the CEC, Kumar said it would not deter their agitation. “An FIR means nothing to us. We will add one more ‘E’ to that, FIRE,” he said, adding, “If you register one FIR, it will automatically turn into FIRE.” On the CEC, Kumar said, “There is no point in this man continuing in the noble office of CEC. He has become a ‘chor’ Election Commissioner. So just stop, I mean, leave this job. This is our demand.” Oct 7, 2026 13:57 ISTINDIA Bloc Protest Live: Manoj Jha reacts to FIR against Rahul, PriyankaReacting to the FIR registered by Delhi Police against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and their supporters for allegedly forcibly entering Akashvani Bhawan during the Opposition’s march against the CEC, RJD MP Manoj Jha said, “Millions of FIRs will be registered... nothing is going to happen. They are going to go and go very badly.” VIDEO | Delhi: On Delhi Police registering an FIR against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and their supporters for allegedly forcibly entering Akashvani Bhawan during the opposition's march against the CEC, RJD MP Manoj Jha, says, "Millions of FIRs will be registered... nothing is going to happen. They are going to go and go very badly." #OppositionProtest #CEC (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd) — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 7, 2026 Oct 7, 2026 13:56 ISTElection Commission SIR Row: Kharge arrives at Janpat for meetingLeader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge will chair a lunch meeting of Opposition MPs on the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) matter on Wednesday. Visuals from the venue of the meeting at Janpath showed preparations underway ahead of the gathering. #WATCH | Delhi | Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, will chair a lunch meeting of Opposition MPs called on the CEC matter Visuals from the venue of the lunch meeting at Janpath https://t.co/APqLaDhNg1 — ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2026 Oct 7, 2026 13:45 ISTINDIA Alliance March: Security beefed-up near Jantar MantarSecurity was stepped up in the Jantar Mantar area amid a lunch meeting of Opposition leaders, with heavy barricading and deployment of security personnel around Sagar Ratna. The entry point to Jantar Mantar, around 100 metres from the restaurant, was also placed under tight security. Oct 7, 2026 13:31 ISTINDIA Bloc Protest Live: Opposition MPs to finalise next move at Kharge’s lunch meetCongress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has invited Opposition MPs for lunch in Delhi on Wednesday, amid the ongoing protests over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar said the MPs would discuss and finalise their next programme during the gathering. “We’ll eat first, then discuss and finalise a programme,” he said. Kumar said the Opposition was united on the issue and claimed that the BJD had also joined the protests, with more parties expected to come on board. Oct 7, 2026 12:42 ISTElection Commission SIR Row: RJD's Manoj Jha questions ‘immunity’ enjoyed by CEC Gyanesh KumarRJD MP Manoj Jha on Wednesday criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid the Opposition’s ongoing protests over the Election Commission and alleged “vote chori”. Jha questioned what he described as Kumar’s “arrogance” and “touch-me-not” attitude, asking where the CEC’s perceived sense of immunity came from and why it had been granted. “We were demanding that they acknowledge their dishonesty,” Jha said, alleging that letters written by him and other Opposition leaders had not even received an acknowledgement. #WATCH | Delhi | RJD MP Manoj Jha says, "...Where does Gyanesh-ji's arrogance and "touch-me-not" attitude—that "you can't do anything to me"—come from? It stems from the immunity granted to him. Why was it granted?... We were demanding that they acknowledge their dishonesty...I have written hundreds of letters, yet you don't even provide an acknowledgment. We have witnessed examples of your arrogance during meetings. Your structure is collapsing..." — ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2026 Oct 7, 2026 12:32 ISTINDIA Alliance March: Kharge hosts lunch for Opposition MPs as they plan letter to CECCongress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has invited Opposition MPs for lunch in Delhi on Wednesday amid the ongoing protest over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The MPs are expected to sign a letter seeking a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner during the gathering. The lunch is being hosted at Sagar Ratna on Janpath, with Congress MPs and other Opposition leaders expected to attend. Ravi Kumar, the restaurant manager, said preparations had been made for a large gathering. “We have information that between 150 and 200 people will be arriving for lunch,” he said. (ANI) Oct 7, 2026 11:59 ISTINDIA Alliance March: BK Hariprasad accuses CEC Gyanesh Kumar of ‘treason’ over Form 6 rowKarnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president BK Hariprasad on Wednesday stepped up his attack on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid the Opposition’s protests over alleged “vote chori”. Hariprasad alleged that attempts to manipulate the Election Commission and changes to Form 6, which he linked to reported differences among election commissioners, amounted to “treason” by Gyanesh Kumar. He also accused those who, according to him, had no role in India’s freedom struggle of seeking to undermine the country’s constitutional and secular values. “People who have no history of fighting for the freedom of this country and no role in the freedom struggle want to destroy all that we have achieved,” Hariprasad said. Referring to Rahul Gandhi, he said the Congress leader had described the alleged manipulation of the Election Commission and Form 6 as “nothing but treason by Gyanesh Kumar”. Oct 7, 2026 11:01 ISTINDIA Bloc Protest: Udit Raj calls Rahul Gandhi-led protest ‘historic’, says mass movement will followCongress leader Udit Raj described Rahul Gandhi’s protest as a “major and historic day”, saying the opposition had courageously brought the issue before the country under Gandhi’s leadership. “Yesterday's incident will be remembered as a major and historic day. Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders, we courageously exposed the issue before the country, and this will lead to a mass movement,” Udit Raj said. #WATCH | Delhi: On Rahul Gandhi's protest, Congress leader Udit Raj says. "... Yesterday's incident will be remembered as a major and historic day. Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders, we courageously exposed the issue before the country, and this will lead to a mass movement. Protests are planned at several places in the coming days. Yesterday, thousands of people gathered following Rahul Gandhi’s call..." — ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2026 Oct 7, 2026 10:25 ISTINDIA Bloc Protest Live: Traffic advisory Traffic movement in and around Kashmere Gate is likely to be affected today due to a proposed protest at the Chief Electoral Officer’s office from 12 noon to 3.30 pm. Commuters have been advised to avoid affected stretches, plan their journeys in advance and use alternate routes. Motorists have also been asked to follow diversion signs and directions of Delhi Traffic Police personnel and cooperate to ensure smoother traffic movement. (Anshul Singh) Oct 7, 2026 10:20 ISTINDIA Bloc Protest: Kerala CM condemns Rahul, Priyanka’s detentionKerala CM VD Satheesan condemned the arrest of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders during Tuesday's protest, calling the police action “undemocratic” and a “violation of civil rights”. He accused the BJP government of undermining constitutional institutions and turning the Election Commission into a “political instrument of the Sangh Parivar”. Satheesan said the Congress would continue its “nationwide struggle” to protect democracy and the Constitution, asserting that “the INDIA alliance will win”. Oct 7, 2026 10:07 ISTINDIA Bloc Protest Live: Delhi Police files FIR over alleged trespass at Akashvani BhawanDelhi Police has registered an FIR following a complaint alleging that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with other MPs and people accompanying them, forcibly entered the Akashvani Bhawan premises during the INDIA bloc’s protest on Tuesday. A PCR call was made to the police in the afternoon after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other Opposition MPs entered the premises. An official complaint was subsequently submitted at the Parliament Street police station in the evening. The complaint alleged that the MPs, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, entered Akashvani Bhawan without permission and sought registration of a case for trespassing. The FIR has now been registered in connection with the alleged unauthorised entry. (Anshul Singh/Arvind Ojha) Load More