INDIA Bloc Protest: Rahul, Priyanka, Kharge Set To March To Rajghat After Lunch At CP Restaurant

Last Updated:October 08, 2026, 2:49 PM IST

The meeting was held a day after Delhi Police stopped an INDIA bloc march towards Jantar Mantar and detained several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.

Heavy security deployed outside Moets restaurant in Connaught Place. (PTI)

Congress and other INDIA bloc MPs gathered in Delhi on Thursday for a second consecutive lunch meeting hosted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The leaders are expected to march to Rajghat later in the day to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh said the Opposition would continue its protest and demanded Kumar’s resignation. He added that the next course of action would be decided during the meeting, after which Rahul Gandhi, Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders are expected to lead the protest.

The meeting was held a day after Delhi Police stopped an INDIA bloc march towards Jantar Mantar and detained several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.

Police said three FIRs had been registered in connection with the protest, including allegations of assault and manhandling of police personnel, obstruction of government work and misbehaviour.

The MPs met for lunch at Moets Restaurant in Connaught Place, a day after a similar gathering turned into a street protest. Those expected to attend included TMC’s Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra, CPI(M)’s John Brittas, IUML’s ET Mohammed Basheer, CPI’s P Sandosh Kumar, along with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge.

The Samajwadi Party also sent two representatives to Kharge’s lunch meeting. Ghosi MP Rajeev Rai and Rampur MP Mohibbullah Nadvi were in attendance. Rai confirmed that the party had asked both MPs to attend the gathering. “We are going there,” said Rai.

The SP’s participation came a day after the party skipped the Congress-led lunch and protest in Delhi over the demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

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Why are INDIA bloc leaders protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar?

INDIA bloc MPs are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities and concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

What led to the police detaining Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders in Delhi?

Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were detained by Delhi Police after trying to march towards the Election Commission and Jantar Mantar without formal authorization, which led to high tensions and police barricading.

How did the Samajwadi Party participate in the recent INDIA bloc meetings and protests?

After skipping the initial lunch and protest, the Samajwadi Party sent two representatives, MPs Rajeev Rai and Mohibbullah Nadvi, to attend Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s subsequent lunch gathering in Connaught Place.

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Aanchal SinhaSub Editor

Aanchal is the Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than four years of experience in national and international news. My work involves covering breaking news, politics, current affairs and developments…Read More

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