New Delhi/Alive News: Leaders of the INDIA bloc on Sunday held a major protest rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and alleging irregularities in the electoral process.
The protest began with a march from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction to Ramlila Maidan. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and several other opposition leaders participated in the demonstration.
Addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were not conducted fairly. He claimed that 15 per cent of Indian voters had been deleted from electoral rolls after the 2024 elections. He also accused the Election Commission leadership of undermining democracy and said that legal action would be taken over alleged electoral irregularities.
Gandhi further said that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would face legal consequences, adding that the alleged manipulation of votes amounted to an attack on the country’s Constitution.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the BJP-led government, alleging that the electoral process was being misused. He said the INDIA bloc would continue its protest until Gyanesh Kumar stepped down from his post.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav targeted the BJP over the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, claiming that the party would lose power in the state. He also alleged irregularities in previous elections and said the youth would respond to what he described as injustices.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of targeting her state through the SIR exercise. She said her party would continue its democratic fight and would not surrender. Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti were among the other opposition leaders who addressed the gathering.
Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Randeep Surjewala also criticised the Election Commission and called for accountability over the allegations.
According to the police, nearly 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across central Delhi to maintain security. More than 200 CCTV cameras were installed around the rally venue. Delhi Traffic Police also imposed restrictions and announced diversions on several roads between 10 am and 5 pm.
The rally came a day after opposition parties held a mock impeachment exercise against CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence.
The BJP, meanwhile, organised a separate march in West Delhi’s Hari Nagar area against the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The march was led by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and was joined by Sikh organisations.
Rahul Gandhi had also appealed to people travelling to Delhi for the rally to support local traders by shopping in the city’s markets during the festive season.
