BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
In a dramatic show of unity and defiance, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav took center stage on August 11 in a powerful protest by the INDIA bloc against what they describe as the Centre’s misuse of power and the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) questionable conduct. The protest, which unfolded in the capital, was sparked by the detention and arrest of nearly 300 Opposition MPs and senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and key figures from several allied parties. Their mission was to march peacefully to the ECI and submit a memorandum opposing the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and alleged voter fraud.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow Opposition leaders, Akhilesh Yadav condemned the crackdown as an “attack on democracy” and a direct assault on the rights of elected representatives. He accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to silence dissent out of fear of being held accountable. “This is not just about one election. It is about protecting the Constitution, the principle of one person, one vote, and the rights of every citizen,” Yadav declared, pledging that the SP would continue resisting any move undermining electoral integrity.
The protest scene was marked by intense confrontation. Leaders from the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Shiv Sena (UBT), and others alleged manhandling by police. Several women MPs reportedly collapsed in the heat of the moment, with Congress MP Sanjana Jatav rushed to RML Hospital. The arrest of both Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi further ignited the Opposition’s anger, with accusations that the government had crossed all constitutional boundaries.
Rahul Gandhi, serving as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, mirrored Yadav’s concerns, asserting, “They are scared of the truth. This fight is not political anymore, it is for the Constitution.” TMC’s Sagarika Ghose denounced the use of force against peaceful protesters, while RJD’s Misa Bharti questioned the ECI’s refusal to meet elected MPs. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut went further, alleging a deliberate conspiracy to paralyze Parliament’s functioning and prevent open dialogue with the ECI.
The BJP, however, rejected the allegations outright. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the INDIA bloc of seeking to “create anarchy” and “not believing in the Constitution.” The ECI maintained that Rahul Gandhi still had the opportunity to provide evidence of his “vote theft” claims or apologise, a stance that drew fresh fire from the Opposition, who accused the Commission of working under government pressure.
For Akhilesh Yadav, this episode has solidified his role as a leading defender of democratic principles within the INDIA alliance. His bold statements, coupled with his active presence in the protest, underlined the SP’s determination to protect the sanctity of elections. By calling for unity among Opposition ranks, Yadav positioned himself not merely as a participant but as a strategist in the broader battle against what he termed the BJP’s “autocratic tendencies.”
As Parliament prepares to resume, the clash between the government and Opposition shows no signs of cooling. With Akhilesh Yadav at the forefront, the fight for the Constitution and the rights of every voter is set to continue with renewed force, both on the streets and in the House.
