Rahul Gandhi likens opposition protest to tandav, calls it ‘Shivji ki baraat’ where everyone is welcome

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday (Oct 12, 2026) likened repeated opposition protests against alleged ‘vote chori’ (theft) to Lord Shiva’s tandav (cosmic dance), claiming that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar was sending him messages.

“This is the tandav, the dance of Lord Shiva. There is no planning here,” Mr Gandhi said when asked about the opposition’s future strategy on the issue, adding: “There is no need for a plan. There is a dance going on, the dance of Lord Shiva. And anyone can join the Shivji ki baraat (wedding procession of Lord Shiva).”

The Opposition Leader addressed a press conference at the Congress headquarters in Indira Bhavan, before parties belonging to the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) marched to the Supreme Court from the Barakhamba Road junction in central Delhi.

Mr Gandhi claimed that up to 200 officials of the Narendra Modi government had been constantly briefing them and used his press conferences to address Mr Kumar directly, reiterating his suggestion that the CEC should be made an approver on the alleged chori vote.

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“We know that Gyanesh Kumar cannot sleep at night. I am telling him directly – you will not survive as CEC,” the opposition leader said.

Asked specifically if the CEC had tried to contact him at any time, Mr Gandhi said: “The news is coming in and I know he is watching this press conference.”

“Go to the approvers. You (Mr Kumar) have made a mistake but you are not behind the mistake. We are going after the people behind what you have done,” Mr Gandhi said when asked if he had any message for the CEC.

During the second week of back-to-back protests by the INDIA bloc, Mr Gandhi also spoke of patience and perseverance as the principle of resistance is not “a matter of one day”.

“We will not back down and tire. Why? Because the truth is with us. Those who try to protect lies will tire,” he said, adding, “Mr. Modi, let me tell you that 200 officers of your government are in touch with us, providing information from ED (Enforcement Directorate), CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), Do what you will with us, Foreign Office.

Asked to comment on the parallel protests by various civil society groups and organisations, including the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Mr Gandhi said: “There are no parallel protests, there is one protest, the protest is to remove Gyanesh Kumar and then remove Mr Prime Minister Mr Amit Shah. We will not stop.”

The opposition leader questioned the curbs imposed in the capital, turning Delhi into a fortress, with people arriving on buses and trains stopped before last week’s protests, saying the deployment of 20,000 to 30,000 police was for their benefit.

“We want to show the country that the Narendra Modi government is protecting Gjanesh Kumar. The more they do, the better for us,” he said.

Declaring that their religion was the Constitution, Mr. Gandhi said, “Until the Constitution is upheld, the Election Commissioner disappears and the electoral system is overhauled, the youth of the country will not stop.”

“What matters is India and its constitution, the expression of the people and the future of the country,” Gandhi said.

Published – 12 October 2026 22:39 IST