NEW DELHI : Tensions between the Opposition and the ruling government escalated sharply today as the INDIA bloc gathered at Ramlila Maidan for a massive rally targeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration follows an investigative report detailing alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The 7 hour event, running from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, has drawn thousands of supporters, students, and civil society groups. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, framed the gathering as a vital movement to safeguard Indian democracy and the Constitution. Encouraging peaceful public participation, Gandhi also asked attendees to buy from local vendors near the venue to support small businesses during the ongoing festive season.
A striking feature of the protest came from the Indian Youth Congress, whose members turned up dressed in white to represent “ghost voters” a symbolic protest against citizens whose names were allegedly marked as deceased or improperly deleted from voter lists.
Security across Central Delhi has been ramped up significantly. Delhi Police relocated the agitation to Ramlila Maidan after denotifying Jantar Mantar following intense demonstrations earlier this month. Over 3,000 police personnel alongside 10,000 paramilitary troops have deployed to manage an expected crowd of 50,000 and prevent marchers from moving toward restricted zones.
The Ramlila Maidan showcase follows a mock “public impeachment” organized yesterday by INDIA bloc leaders at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence. During that session, Gandhi asserted that the Opposition possesses sufficient evidence to ensure Kumar cannot continue in office.
The Bharatiya Janata Party swiftly pushed back against the Opposition’s campaign, dismissing the public impeachment as a political spectacle and mockingly suggesting the alliance formally designate Rahul Gandhi as their “mock Prime Minister.” Mounting its own political response, the BJP organized a counter-rally led by BJP President Nitin Nabin in Rohtak, Haryana.
