Opposition parties unite against Delhi minister's arrest

Coalition stages rally, aiming to use run-ins with govt to garner electoral support

- Nirmala Ganapathy India Bureau Chief

India's rainbow opposition alliance put up its strongest show of unity yet at a "Save Democracy" rally on March 31, hoping to convert recent run-ins with government agencies into electoral support.

Opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using investigating agencies to stymie their campaigns by cutting off funds and arresting leaders, weeks before the general elections. India will vote in seven-phase elections starting on April 19, with official results expected on June 4.

The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, or India, comprises more than two dozen opposition parties across country.

Opposition heavyweights from across the country shared the stage in a show of strength to protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate on

March 21 on a graft charge related to the sale of liquor, and the freezing of several bank accounts of the Congress party by the income tax department.

Gandhi siblings Rahul and Priyanka of the Congress party, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and Peoples Democratic Party Mehbooba Mufti chief were among the dozens of opposition leaders who addressed the rally at Ramlila Ground in New Delhi.

"This election is not about votes.

It's about saving the Constitution," Mr Gandhi told the rally.