Thane: Highlighting the need for transparency in democracy and the electoral process, the Thane Congress has launched a protest against the Central Government and the Election Commission.

The Congress made its stance clear by organizing a massive ‘Rasta Roko’ (road blockade) agitation in Thane to protest the crackdown on Rahul Gandhi. Congress workers demanded an end to attempts to suppress the voice of the Opposition and called for greater transparency in the electoral process.

The protest, held near the Thane City Congress Central Office, was led by City President Rahul Karbhari Pingale. Workers shouted strong slogans against the Central Government and the Election Commission, clarifying the party’s stance on the electoral system.

The Congress alleged that on October 7, police used force and cracked down on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and other MPs of the ‘INDIA’ alliance in Delhi. The Thane Congress strongly condemned this incident. Workers demanded that instead of suppressing the voice of the Opposition for peacefully raising questions, the government should hold discussions on their demands.

During the protest, activists took to the streets and staged a ‘Rasta Roko’, which disrupted local traffic for some time. To bring the situation under control, the police arrested prominent leaders, including Thane City Congress President Rahul Pingale, and later released them.

Rahul Pingale alleged that using police force to stop public representatives who raise their voices for transparency and impartiality in the electoral system marks a black day for democracy. He warned that Congress will not tolerate any attempt to suppress the voice of democracy. He added that the party’s fight to restore the complete credibility of the electoral system and to remove Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from his post will continue and grow stronger.

A large number of state office-bearers, state committee members, senior leaders of Thane Congress, block presidents, and members of the Mahila Congress, Seva Dal, Youth Congress, as well as various frontal cells and wings, participated in this agitation.