New Delhi: Delhi saw a big opposition gathering on Sunday as workers and supporters of the INDIA bloc reached the capital for its “Chalo Dilli” protest. The alliance is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and protesting alleged problems in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, agencies reported.
People began arriving at Ramlila Maidan early in the morning. Samajwadi Party workers gathered outside party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s residence, while Congress supporters met at Himachal Bhawan and then moved towards the rally venue. Many supporters came from different states on Sunday, while others had reached Delhi on Saturday or earlier.
The main march will begin at noon from the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction and end at Ramlila Maidan. Senior opposition leaders are expected to travel in open buses from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s house to the starting point of the march.
At Ramlila Maidan, organisers have put up a large tricolour canopy over the main stage for senior leaders. A second stage has been arranged for representatives of INDIA bloc state units. White tents, metal barricades and temporary platforms have also been set up. Separate entry gates and enclosures will be used for different groups of people. Volunteers will manage the crowd, provide drinking water and arrange separate toilets for women. People will not be allowed to stay overnight at the venue.
Rahul Asks People To Shop
Some traders in Delhi were worried that the rally could affect their business during Diwali, Chhath and Bhai Dooj. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked people coming for the protest to also buy from local shops.
In a video message on X, he said: “Namaskar, Tomorrow, lakhs of people are coming to Delhi for the Ramlila March. It is the festive season. The time of Diwali, Chhath, and Bhai Dooj has arrived. I want those lakhs of people coming to Delhi from outside to support the traders here. Protest, march, hold rallies, and along with that, do a little shopping too – it will benefit the traders. I know the rally will not harm the traders.”
Gandhi also accused the BJP of spreading rumours because it was “scared” of the Opposition’s mobilisation.
Heavy Security In Place
Delhi Police have made strong security arrangements. More than 4,000 police personnel, along with Central Armed Police Forces companies, will be deployed on the march route and at Ramlila Maidan. The ground has been divided into 14 zones, and each zone will be supervised by an officer of assistant commissioner rank. More than 200 CCTV cameras, drones and body-worn cameras will be used for monitoring.
There is a big difference in turnout estimates. The INDIA bloc says up to 10 lakh people may join, while Delhi Police expects around 50,000. Ramlila Maidan can hold about 45,000–50,000 people when empty, but its capacity may fall to 30,000–40,000 because of chairs, barricades and passages. Space outside the ground has been kept for extra crowds.
The protest follows a symbolic “public impeachment” of Kumar at Kharge’s residence on Saturday. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided over the event, Kharge moved a resolution against the CEC, and Rahul Gandhi gave the closing speech.
The INDIA bloc has invited students, young people, women, workers and civil society members to join. It says the protest is against “vote chori” and the alleged removal of many voters’ names during the SIR process.
