New Delhi: The Delhi Police has granted the Congress permission to hold a mega rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, 2026, as part of its ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ campaign against alleged irregularities in the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

With a fortnight remaining, the political debate over voter deletions, opposition unity and the role of the Election Commission could develop further before the rally takes place.

Congress gets permission for November 1 rally

The Delhi Police granted permission for the Congress rally on Saturday, October 17. According to the police, the party has received a no-objection certificate (NOC) covering October 25 to November 3.

The police also said it was coordinating with the rally organisers, traffic authorities and other agencies to ensure law-and-order arrangements and manage traffic during the event.

The rally is part of the Congress-led ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ campaign, which has focused on alleged irregularities in the SIR process and concerns over the removal of names from electoral rolls.

The Congress has demanded accountability from the Election Commission and called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party has also sought to mobilise people whose names were reportedly removed from voter lists.

What could change before November 1?

1. The SIR controversy could intensify

The next two weeks could bring further political exchanges over the SIR exercise. The Congress and other opposition parties may use this period to highlight cases of alleged voter exclusion and press for answers from the Election Commission.

Whether the controversy escalates will depend on new developments, evidence presented by the parties and any responses from the poll body. The allegations of irregularities remain distinct from any officially established findings.

2. Congress could expand its voter outreach

The Congress has already announced a campaign involving marches, public meetings and outreach at district and village levels. The party has said the effort is intended to reach people whose names have been removed from electoral rolls and help them seek re-enrolment where eligible.

The remaining days could give the party an opportunity to gather complaints, document individual cases and mobilise supporters ahead of the rally. The extent of this outreach and whether it produces verified evidence of wrongful deletions remain to be seen.

3. INDIA bloc unity could come into focus

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh has said opposition parties have been invited to the November 1 rally. The event could therefore become a test of how effectively the INDIA bloc can coordinate around the SIR issue.

Participation by prominent opposition leaders could strengthen the appearance of a united campaign. Differences in strategy, priorities or participation, however, could affect the scale of that message. The final list of attendees has not been confirmed in the information available.

4. The Election Commission’s response could shape the debate

Any clarification, official data or procedural announcements from the Election Commission before November 1 could influence the political discussion. The poll body’s explanation of how names are reviewed, removed or restored would be relevant to assessing opposition allegations.

The rally may also increase pressure on the Commission to address concerns about safeguards for eligible voters. However, police permission for the event does not indicate any change in the Election Commission’s position or in the SIR process itself.

5. The protest could become part of a wider mobilisation

The Congress has announced further activity beyond the November 1 rally. Ramesh has said six yatras are expected to travel from locations near the national capital and reach Delhi from November 25–26 as part of the ‘Chalo Delhi’ programme.

This suggests that the rally may be one stage in a longer campaign rather than a standalone event. Its political impact will depend on participation, the issues raised, the evidence presented and whether the campaign sustains public attention afterwards.

Why the November 1 rally matters

The rally comes amid a wider dispute over electoral roll revision and confidence in the electoral process. For the Congress, it offers an opportunity to bring its objections to a national platform and seek support from other opposition parties.

For the Election Commission, the central issue is the administration of electoral rolls and the need to ensure that eligible voters are not wrongly excluded. Any claims of wrongful deletion must be assessed against electoral records, the applicable procedures and the remedies available to affected voters.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has criticised the opposition’s protests, portraying them as politically motivated. The disagreement reflects a broader political confrontation over electoral administration, institutional accountability and public confidence in elections.

What to watch over the next 14 days

The key developments to follow before November 1 are:

  • Whether the Congress publishes further details or verified cases concerning alleged voter deletions.

  • Whether the Election Commission issues clarifications or takes any relevant procedural steps.

  • Which INDIA bloc leaders confirm their participation in the rally.

  • Whether the Congress expands its campaign through local meetings and public outreach.

  • Whether the dispute leads to any legal or administrative developments affecting the SIR exercise.

The bottom line: The November 1 rally could mark a new phase in the Congress-led campaign, but the next two weeks will be important in determining its scale and focus. Any substantive change in the SIR dispute will depend on official decisions, verifiable evidence and developments beyond the rally itself.