States » SouthPosted at: Oct 8 2026 4:13PM


Karnataka Cong turns ‘black day’ protest into fresh offensive against Centre, EC

Bengaluru, Oct 8 (UNI) The Karnataka Congress on Thursday stepped up its confrontation with the Centre and the Election Commission, observing a ‘black day’ in Bengaluru over the detention of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during protests in New Delhi.
Hundreds of Congress workers gathered outside the KPCC headquarters carrying black flags and raising slogans against the Central government, alleging that the Delhi Police action against the Congress leaders amounted to an assault on democratic rights.
The protest, led by KPCC President and MLC B.K. Hariprasad and attended by senior party leaders, also sharpened the Congress’ demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and greater transparency in the electoral process.
The protesters raised slogans such as “Rahul Gandhi Zindabad” and “Vote Bachavo, Desh Bachavo” (Save Vote, Save Country), turning the KPCC premises into the centre of the party’s Karnataka-wide mobilisation against the Election Commission.
Hariprasad described the police action against Rahul Gandhi and other elected representatives as a “dark day for democracy” and accused the authorities of trying to silence opposition voices.
“The attack on the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha is a dark day for democracy,” he said, asserting that the Congress would not back down from its campaign.
“Our struggle against attempts to suppress the voice of democracy will continue. The Congress party’s fight will not stop until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is removed and transparency and credibility are restored in the electoral system,” Hariprasad said.
The Congress has made the Election Commission and electoral transparency a major political issue, with Thursday’s mobilisation in Bengaluru coming amid intensified protests by the party in several parts of the country.
The developments also prompted the Bengaluru Police to step up security around the state BJP headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan in Malleshwaram, amid inputs about a possible attempt by Congress workers to enter the premises.
Additional police personnel were deployed around the BJP office and surrounding areas to prevent any confrontation and maintain law and order.
The Karnataka protest marked another escalation in the political battle between the ruling Congress in the state and the BJP-led Centre, with the electoral process emerging as a fresh flashpoint between the two sides.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Karnataka Cong turns ‘black day’ protest into fresh offensive against Centre# EC
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