NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce attack on the Central government over the integrity of elections. Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi stated that the President of India had asked the opposition to present “proof” of alleged poll irregularities, asserting that the subsequent denial originated from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) rather than Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Addressing a news conference, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the highest constitutional office is aware of the situation.
“We went to the President of India. President of India herself said, ‘Give me the proof.’ We are going to take the proof. I hope you noticed something. There was no denial from the President of India’s office. I hope you noticed it. The denial was quietly made by the Prime Minister’s Office. Even the President of India and her office know what is going on, and she has refused to deny what I said,” Gandhi said.
#WATCH | Delhi | Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, “This is happening because we are raising the very same question that the two Election Commissioners had asked: why isn’t Gyanesh Kumar resigning? Gyanesh Kumar, you have lost your sleep; we will not spare you… We know about your past and your corruption, and we are waiting…”
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
Elaborating on the opposition’s ideological and political confrontation, the Congress leader stressed that the battle is beyond regular street protests.
“So we are not fighting for the street, brothers. We are fighting for the mind. We are fighting for the heart of the Indian people. And we are telling the Indian people that this type of India is dangerous for you. This type of India suits Mr. Ambani, suits Mr. Adani, suits Mr. Modi, suits Mr. Doval. It is dangerous for you. It is dangerous for your children,” he remarked.
Announcing a formal legal move before the judiciary, Gandhi revealed that the opposition had communicated with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and is set to file a petition jointly.
“Congress president and I wrote to the CJI, expressing our grave concern about the murder of Indian democracy and election fairness. CJI responded to us and instructed us to file a petition… Today, INDIA bloc leaders and I will go to the Supreme Court together and file this petition,” he said.
Directing a sharp attack at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the LoP demanded his resignation. “This is happening because we are raising the very same question that the two Election Commissioners had asked: why isn’t Gyanesh Kumar resigning? Gyanesh Kumar, you have lost your sleep; we will not spare you… We know about your past and your corruption, and we are waiting…” Gandhi alleged.
#WATCH | Delhi | Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, “We want 20,000 to 30,000 police personnel deployed on the streets. The government is committing a grave mistake, because we want to show the country that Modi ji wants to ensure the security of Gyanesh Kumar… The more he is protected, the more we will ultimately reach his controller… We are receiving reports that police personnel are distressed because they are being ordered to beat up young people, while instructions are being issued to give RSS members a free hand.”
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
Claiming sympathy within the ranks of security personnel, Gandhi stated, “Exactly 50% of the police personnel are telling us that what we are doing is right and we should continue. Police, ITBP, CRPF, the people of India are on one side and Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Ajit Doval, Gyanesh Kumar, and 4-5 members of the Election Commission who are facilitating ‘vote chori’ and hijacking the country are on the other side. We are increasing this divide…”
Holding up a copy of the Constitution during his address, Gandhi described it as the sacred voice of the country’s youth and urged people to show perseverance against police barricades and crackdowns.
“Look, whoever is standing against the government, I want to say this to you: there are crores of youth who want to save democracy… Give me the Constitution. There are crores of youth who want to save democracy, who consider the Constitution their faith, because this is the voice of India. And this voice—the voice of all the people—we consider our sacred duty. And this is being attacked,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi | Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, “I want to tell Narendra Modi that 200 officials of your government are in touch with us and informing us, including those in the ED, CBI, Foreign Ministry…” https://t.co/sneicBxHPN
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
“You think that one day we went out, the police stopped us. We went to Jantar Mantar, the police stopped us there. Students protested on Sunday, we were stopped there. Today we are going, today they will stop us. This resistance is not a matter of one day. We have been doing this continuously. And do not think that this started five days ago. Its expression is becoming visible now, but this resistance has been going on for years. So my message to you is: perseverance,” Gandhi added.
The Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition insisted that democratic resilience demands long-term commitment. “If we do it tomorrow, they will stop us. If we do it the day after tomorrow, they will stop us. Let them stop us! This is how a nation is built. A nation is not protected in just two days. Do not think that simply stepping out and unfurling a flag means the nation is [protected],” he asserted.
Rahul Gandhi also compared the ongoing demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar to “Lord Shiva’s Tandav” and asserted that no formal planning was needed for the movement. He said the protest did not depend on a fixed plan and would continue in different forms.
He referenced an earlier sit-in protest at Akashvani Bhavan and said the original plan was to travel by bus, sit at a location and get arrested, but they changed it when the police did not allow them to proceed.
#WATCH | Delhi | Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, “India is marching; join us today at 1.30 PM at Barakhamba Junction in Connaught Place. If you want to protect the Constitution, anyone from any party can join…”
He also says, “If you cannot join us directly for any reason, show your solidarity when we will be in front of the Supreme Court filing the petition…”
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
Addressing a press conference at AICC HQ in the national capital ahead of the INDIA bloc march to the Supreme Court against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Gandhi said, “My sister tells me that we should make a plan. So I told my sister, ‘You are not understanding the point. This is Tandav. This is Lord Shiva’s dance. There is no planning in this. Today we are going to the Supreme Court; tomorrow it will be something else. What do you think? Did we make a plan at Akashvani Bhavan?”
“The plan was that we would go by bus, sit there, and get arrested. The police wouldn’t let us go. So we changed the plan. Did the result come from the plan, or did it come from the non-plan? There is no need for any plan. This dance is ongoing. This is Lord Shiva’s dance going on. In this, anyone can join Shiva’s procession (Shiv ki Baraat). Anyone who wants to join, can come,” he said.
He also warned that the protest over the CEC’s conduct would continue. The Congress leader also claimed that questions were being raised within security agencies over the alleged differences in the treatment of protesters and members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
“Why is all this happening? Because we are only asking the question raised by two Election Commissioners: why is Gyanesh Kumar not resigning? These days, we are receiving information from everywhere. Gyanesh Kumar, we know your situation. We know you are unable to sleep at night, and do not worry, we will not spare you. I am telling you directly that you will not escape as Election Commissioner because of what is happening. Lakhs of people are questioning you and your conduct, and they will not stop,” he said.
“Questions are being raised within the police about why they are being asked to stop the youth while RSS members are being allowed to roam freely. These questions are being raised within the Home Ministry, Delhi Police, CRPF and ITBP,” Congress leader said.
He called on people from all political parties to join the INDIA bloc’s protest march at 1.30 pm at Barakhamba Junction in Connaught Place, saying the march was aimed at protecting the Constitution. He also urged people unable to join the march to show solidarity when the delegation reaches the Supreme Court to file a petition.
“India is marching; join us today at 1.30 pm at Barakhamba Junction in Connaught Place. If you want to protect the Constitution, anyone from any party can join…If you cannot join us directly for any reason, show your solidarity when we will be in front of the Supreme Court filing the petition,” he said.
High Security is in place in Central Delhi; security has been tightened with barricades at multiple locations, and entry and exit at certain metro stations will remain closed until 4:00 PM on October 12, for security reasons. Security personnel have been deployed at Barakhamba Road, near Mandi House. RAF (Rapid Action Force) and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) personnel are also deployed along with Delhi Police personnel. (ANI)
