Delhi Police on Monday morning detained several senior opposition MPs including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, after their demonstration against what they alleged was the Election Commission’s “collusion” with the ruling BJP moved onto the streets of central Delhi.

As he and other leaders were taken away in police buses, Rahul Gandhi told reporters crowding around him, “This fight is not political... it is to save the Constitution. The fight is for ‘one person, one vote’.” He added, “The reality is they cannot talk... the truth is in front of the country.”

Joint Commissioner of Police Deepak Purohit confirmed the detentions but declined to specify a number, reports NDTV.

Detained INDIA bloc leaders have been taken to a nearby police station, he said.

'To be nasty to people, to be violent are not Indian values': Rahul Gandhi tells Indian expats in US

Purohit explained that police had not granted permission for a protest of this size, noting that only 30 MPs had been allowed to march to the Election Commission to submit a complaint.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahla said, “The Election Commission said 30 MPs could visit them... but over 200 came marching. We stopped them to prevent any breakdown of law-and-order. They were then detained. Some MPs tried jumping barricades.. they were also detained.”

Footage from outside Parliament showed numerous politicians and party workers holding placards, chanting slogans, and pushing against police barricades. Another clip captured Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav climbing over two barricades.