Delhi:Former Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, and Pinarayi Vijayan were among several opposition leaders detained by Delhi Police on Saturday while attempting to join a protest near Jantar Mantar.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress chief, was detained alongside five party MPs, including Derek O'Brien and Dola Sen, from South Avenue in central Delhi. They were stopped by police and Banerjee staged a sit-in at a bus stop with a bandage taped over her mouth before being taken away in a police bus. In a video statement from inside the bus, Banerjee accused the government of misbehavior and expressed her commitment to the INDIA alliance's fight to strengthen the people's voice.
Kejriwal, the former Delhi Chief Minister, was detained after police surrounded his residence and prevented him from joining the protest. In a video message, the Aam Aadmi Party leader stated that the youth of India would not be intimidated by the crackdown and urged everyone to protest against "vote chori" (vote theft).
Vijayan and CPI(M) MP John Brittas were among those taken to the detention center at Chhatrasal Stadium. Several other opposition figures and student leaders were also detained while trying to reach the protest site.
Banerjee had traveled to Delhi to participate in a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, as part of an INDIA bloc delegation that met President Droupadi Murmu. During the meeting, opposition leaders demanded Kumar's removal, citing allegations of election irregularities and calling for the repeal of all Assembly elections held over the past two years.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition, later expressed his shock that President Murmu did not deny the allegations of election theft. However, sources clarified that claims suggesting Murmu accepted the opposition's allegations were incorrect. Gandhi announced that opposition leaders would meet Chief Justice Surya Kant at the Supreme Court on Monday to submit a memorandum, continuing their pursuit of all available options.
The INDIA alliance has also planned a significant protest on Monday over alleged irregularities by the Election Commission.