Opposition Leaders, Led By Akhilesh Yadav, Stage Sit-In After Being Stopped From Marching To EC Office

In New Delhi, a high-drama standoff unfolded outside the Transport Bhawan as opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi, staged a sit-in protest after being stopped by Delhi Police from marching to the Election Commission’s office. The leaders, along with hundreds of MPs from various opposition parties, intended to submit a memorandum on key issues, including alleged FIR-related concerns and accusations of vote tampering. While the Election Commission had permitted a delegation of 10–15 members, the opposition insisted on marching collectively with over 250–300 MPs.Akhilesh Yadav was seen climbing over barricades before being halted by police, after which he sat on the road, refusing to move until allowed to proceed. Heavy security deployment encircled the protesters, with senior officers attempting negotiations. The scheduled 12 PM meeting time with the EC passed without the delegation arriving, raising concerns over a possible technical hurdle for the submission. Opposition leaders alleged that the EC was denying their united delegation entry, framing the incident as a political battle over democratic rights. The protest remained tense, with both sides holding their ground.