MAHAGATHBANDHAN PROTESTED AGAINST SIR, TEJASHWI DETAINED

MAHAGATHBANDHAN PROTESTED AGAINST SIR, TEJASHWI DETAINED

11-OCT-ENG 5

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA--------------------------A protest by the Mahagathbandhan in Patna on Thursday against the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) turned tense. Leaders and workers of the Mahagathbandhan, led by Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, were marching towards Lok Bhawan. Near the Secretariat, the police attempted to stop the protesters by erecting barricades.

It is reported that Tejashwi Yadav climbed onto the barricades in an attempt to move forward. Subsequently, the protesters broke through the barricades. A scuffle and tussle ensued between the police and the protesters. After the group crossed about three barricades, the police detained Tejashwi Yadav. Mukesh Sahani, chief of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), was also detained alongside him.

Following their detention, the police took Tejashwi Yadav and Mukesh Sahani away in an SDPO's vehicle. Several MLAs and Mahagathbandhan workers climbed onto the police vehicle carrying Tejashwi Yadav and began raising slogans. A chaotic situation prevailed at the scene for quite some time.

During the protest, Tejashwi Yadav stated that the Special Intensive Revision exercise had originated in Bihar and that the Mahagathbandhan has consistently questioned the Election Commission's functioning. He alleged that the Election Commission is not operating in an impartial manner. Tejashwi Yadav stated that the opposition has long been raising the issue of ‘vote theft,’ and now, several questions regarding this are coming to light. He reiterated his demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the Election Commission acted under pressure from the BJP.

Leaders and a large number of workers from the RJD, Congress, CPI(ML), and other alliance partners participated in the Mahagathbandhan’s protest. During the demonstration, former CPI(ML) MLA Ajit Kushwaha’s health deteriorated, and he collapsed after fainting; people present at the scene rushed to his aid.

RJD MLC Urmila Thakur was seen raising slogans while playing a *dafli* (tambourine). Meanwhile, During the protest, RJD chief spokesperson Bhai Virendra raised slogans fiercely against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan remarked on the police action, stating that the Mahagathbandhan's movement would not be halted by detentions. He asserted that depriving anyone of their right to vote would inevitably raise questions. Questioning the Election Commission's functioning, he described the institution as 'compromised'.

Congress State President Rajesh Ram joined the protest carrying handcuffs and a copy of the Constitution. The Congress party announced plans to observe the day as a 'Black Day'.

Alongside the 'Lok Bhavan March' in Patna, Mahagathbandhan leaders and workers staged sit-ins and protests at all district headquarters across the state. Slogans were raised against the SIR and the functioning of the Election Commission during these demonstrations. Describing the SIR issue as one concerning democracy and the right to vote, the Mahagathbandhan has vowed to continue its protest.