Viral Video: Women Congress leaders slap each other during INDIA bloc protest against 'vote chori' in Faridabad

Two Congress leaders slapped each other during an INDIA bloc protest in Faridabad on Thursday, as Opposition parties continued their demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged "vote theft", a PTI report stated. The incident took place during a march led by Haryana Congress leaders. Meanwhile, in Delhi, Congress and other INDIA bloc MPs held a second consecutive lunch meeting to discuss their next steps in the protest and reiterated their demand for Kumar's resignation.

Slap vs Slap: What happened during the Congress protest in Faridabad?

A video circulating on social media purportedly shows Parag Sharma, who contested the Assembly election from Ballabgarh, walking with a Congress banner alongside Gajna Lamba. When Lamba attempted to move ahead, Sharma slapped her. Lamba then slapped Sharma in response. Congress district president Baljit Kaushik and other party members accompanying the march intervened to separate the two leaders.



The march began at Chandi Wali Dharamshala and proceeded towards Pathwari Mandir in Old Faridabad. Haryana Mahila Congress president Pearl Chaudhary and Kaushik led the procession. Kaushik played down the incident, saying physical contact could occur accidentally when people walked together in a crowd. She added that the disagreement between the two women would likely be settled through a compromise.

As per PTI report, a Congress leader is also understood to have filed a complaint against another at the Old Faridabad police station. However, the police have not confirmed the complaint.

INDIA bloc leaders hold second lunch meeting in Delhi

In Delhi, Congress and other INDIA bloc MPs began arriving at a restaurant on Thursday for their second consecutive lunch meeting. The meeting, hosted by Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, was expected to focus on the Opposition's next course of action against the Chief Election Commissioner.

Security arrangements were tightened outside the restaurant as the leaders arrived. After the meeting, the Opposition leaders proceeded to Rajghat. Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh said the INDIA bloc would continue its protest against Kumar and would not withdraw its demand.

"And today also, we have a strong protest, an aggressive protest against Gyanesh Kumar. We are not going back," Suresh said.

"Our ultimatum is for Gyanesh Kumar to resign from the Chief Election Commissioner post. If he is not ready to resign the post, the government should remove him from Chief Election Commissioner," Suresh said.

Congress questions police action against Opposition MPs

Congress leaders also criticised the police action during Wednesday's protest and the registration of FIRs that name Rahul Gandhi. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari alleged that the police had acted against Opposition leaders while they were attempting to reach Jantar Mantar, a recognised protest site.

"The Leader of Opposition, was going to Jantar Mantar, a known site of protest across the country. The brutality and disgraceful manner in which the assault happened with Priyanka ji and others... We will not let the Constitution of the country be taken away. We will save the Constitution no matter what."

Congress MP Manickam Tagore accused the BJP and the government of protecting Kumar. He also questioned the police restrictions imposed on Opposition leaders during their attempts to march towards Jantar Mantar.

"This is the Gujarat model which they (central govt) wanted to expand across India. what we are asking now. What was the LoP Rahul Gandhi asking for from the first day?... We were stopped at Akashwani Bhavan. Rahul Gandhi sat under that tree. Therefore, there is an FIR on it. Now yesterday we went to Sagar Ratna restaurant. From there we went, we wanted to go to Jantar Mantar. The police stopped us. Then now there is again an FIR against Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. What HM Amit Shah and PM Modi are doing, we are unable to understand. They are clueless at first. They are not able to understand what is the issue we are speaking about. We are asking for the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation... why are they giving him this much protection?... They are afraid of that mobilization across India. Rahul Gandhi has emerged as the leader on those issues which have been affecting this country. It is not only about the CEC. It is about the electoral process they completely hijacked," he said.

Congress raises voter deletion concerns

Congress MP Imran Masood said the Opposition would continue its campaign until the alleged removal of voters' names was addressed. He linked the protest to concerns over voting rights and the electoral process. "Until this loot stops and the 13 crore people whose voting rights were cut are restored, this fight will continue. What is the meaning of democracy if such a huge number of voters are removed? The number of names cut in the name of Bangladeshis is more than the population of Bangladesh itself... What is the meaning of the Election Commission..."

The Opposition has been raising concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral process and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The INDIA bloc has made Kumar's resignation a central demand of its ongoing campaign.

Delhi Police registers three FIRs over Wednesday's protest

Thursday's lunch meeting followed a similar gathering on Wednesday. After that meeting, Opposition leaders attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar to protest against Kumar and the SIR process. Delhi Police stopped the march and detained several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.

Delhi Police said on Thursday that three FIRs had been registered in connection with Wednesday's protest, with more cases being registered. The cases involve allegations of assault on police personnel, obstruction of government work, pushing and manhandling, and misbehaviour with police personnel. According to details shared by Delhi Police, the names of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also appear in the FIRs registered so far.

The INDIA bloc has said it intends to continue its protest, while the police cases have added another point of dispute between the Opposition and the government.

(Inputs from PTI)