Security arrangements tightened substantially around Connaught Place on Thursday as key opposition figures gathered inside the Moet Hotel to outline their political moves over lunch. While senior lawmakers deliberated on their next steps inside the venue, Delhi Police maintained a strict vigil across the surrounding streets. The closed-door gathering saw the participation of Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee, Rashtriya Janata Dal parliamentarian Manoj Jha, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi. Outside, the growing crowd of party supporters fueled curiosity regarding what course the demonstration would take after two consecutive days of street-level friction.
Strategic Shift from Jantar Mantar to Rajghat
Emerging from the luncheon, Mallikarjun Kharge alongside Rahul Gandhi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Manoj Jha announced that the opposition would bypass both the Election Commission office and Jantar Mantar, choosing instead to hold a peaceful sit-in at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat. Rather than continuing on foot, the leaders boarded designated buses. Rahul Gandhi and fellow lawmakers took their seats inside while party workers holding national flags escorted the vehicles along the route, turning the transit into a massive public procession through central Delhi.
Three Days of Deadlock Over Chief Election Commissioner
The core grievance driving the three-day agitation is the demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to step down from his post. The movement faced successive hurdles: on October 6, leaders attempted an on-foot march but were halted by security personnel, while on October 7, a similar walking march resulted in leaders being detained. In response, on October 8, the organizers pivoted to using three buses to transport lawmakers along Minto Road toward Rajghat. Along the route, a group of demonstrators attempted to divert onto the street leading to the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters, but pre-installed police barricades completely sealed the passage.
Tight Surveillance and an Hour-Long Memorial Tribute
Ahead of the convoy's arrival, members of the National Students' Union of India and Congress party workers had already assembled at Rajghat with banners and slogans. Police personnel remained particularly watchful, recalling how opposition figures had altered their plan on October 6 by staging an eight-hour sit-in at Akashvani Bhavan. Security forces permitted Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge entry into the Rajghat memorial grounds, where they offered floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi's resting place. Under the terms set by Delhi Police, the gathering was granted a strict one-hour duration, following which the leaders and lawmakers dispersed peacefully.
Counter-Protest Outside Congress Party Headquarters
Parallel to the opposition assembly at the memorial, another confrontation unfolded outside the Congress national headquarters. Workers affiliated with the BJP Mahila Morcha staged a demonstration directly opposite the party office, raising slogans against Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi while displaying placards. Adequate contingents of male and female police personnel were positioned on the scene to maintain public order and prevent physical clashes between the rival political camps.
