INDIA bloc to stage ‘Chalo Dilli’ march at Ramlila Maidan today

New Delhi: Opposition parties under the INDIA bloc brought their protest to the national capital on Sunday, holding a ‘Chalo Dilli’ march that ended at Ramlila Maidan. The demonstration focused on alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, opposition to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, and a demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

The alliance projected the event as a major display of unity, drawing party leaders, cadres and student groups from different states. It said the rally was intended to draw attention to what it described as flaws in the voter-list revision process.

Delhi Police tightened arrangements across the city ahead of the gathering. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 were in force across all districts, while assemblies were barred at sensitive spots including Jantar Mantar and outside the Election Commission office.

Senior leaders were allowed to travel to designated venues in personal vehicles. Police and paramilitary forces were stationed around Ramlila Maidan as organisers anticipated a large crowd.

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, appealed to supporters travelling to Delhi to participate in the march and also patronise local businesses during the festive period.

In a post on X, he said people arriving for the rally should support small traders during Diwali, Chhath and Bhai Dooj. He argued that the protest would not affect businesses and accused the BJP of spreading rumours because it was “scared.”

Congress leader K.C. Venugopal separately urged people nationwide to join the demonstration. Framing it as “Chalo Dilli, Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao,” he alleged that democracy was under threat and claimed that 13 crore names had been removed from electoral rolls during the SIR process.

The Election Commission has not been quoted in the report responding to the allegations. The INDIA bloc hopes the rally will intensify political pressure over the conduct of electoral roll revisions and the functioning of the poll body ahead of future elections.

(Inputs from IANS)