Police detain opposition leaders in Patna during protest march to Raj Bhavan

High-voltage political drama unfolded in Patna on Thursday as opposition leaders, including Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, were detained by police during a march toward Raj Bhavan to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The protest, organised as part of the INDIA bloc’s ongoing agitation against alleged manipulation of voter rolls in the SIR, began outside the Bihar Vidhan Sabha near the Chief Electoral Officer’s office. The state administration deployed heavy security, erecting multi-layered barricades and deploying riot gear and armed personnel to block the route to the Governor’s official residence.

Addressing reporters during the standoff, Tejashwi Yadav criticized the security arrangements. “AK-47s have been deployed here. Such weapons are meant to deal with terrorists, not democratic protests,” he said, adding that the opposition would not back down until the CEC resigns.

Following the confrontation, police detained senior leaders including Yadav, VIP chief Mukesh Sahni, and RJD MP Misha Bharti, escorting them toward Lok Bhavan to clear the demonstration site.

The march also exposed coordination issues within the opposition alliance. While the RJD and regional allies maintained a strong presence, Congress participation appeared fractured. Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram stated that police blocked Congress workers in front of the Vidhan Sabha, but senior leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan was the party’s only prominent figure at the site. Khan attributed the low cadre turnout to “confusion over the scheduled time.”

The explanation drew criticism from coalition quarters. Leader I.P. Gupta remarked that the Congress needed serious introspection, stating that Rahul Gandhi needed to consider the situation.

The opposition leaders had earlier sought time from Governor Syed Ata Hasnain to submit a memorandum regarding their demands.