Rahul Gandhi issues final 'Chalo Delhi' calls as INDIA bloc rally gets underway to Ramlila Maidan

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday urged people in Delhi and neighbouring states to join the INDIA bloc's ‘Chalo Dilli’ march at Ramlila Maidan, calling for action over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

In a post on X, Gandhi shared a route map for the march and asked people to assemble at Connaught Place or join the gathering directly at Ramlila Maidan. The demonstration was scheduled to begin at noon.

“Delhi, get ready! Save the Vote, Save the Nation. Come to Connaught Place, let's march together. Or meet directly at Ramlila Maidan – but you must come. Today | 12 PM #ChaloDilli,” he posted.

The INDIA bloc has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of overseeing the deletion of legitimate voters' names, particularly those belonging to marginalised, backward and minority communities, during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Opposition has also demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with paper ballots, alleging that the Election Commission has failed to ensure electoral integrity.

The rally comes a day after opposition leaders held a symbolic mock impeachment event at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Several prominent INDIA bloc leaders, including Kharge, Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, are participating in the protest.

Meanwhile, the BJP has organised a counter-march in West Delhi to commemorate the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The party has accused the Congress of holding its political rally on the anniversary of the violence.

The BJP march is scheduled to begin at Hari Nagar Bus Depot and conclude near Tilak Nagar Metro Station. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi BJP president, Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Sardar HS Phoolka, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and MP Bansuri Swaraj are among those expected to participate, along with members of the Sikh community.

Security has been tightened at the Delhi-Gurugram border, with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel deployed alongside police teams to monitor entry points into the national capital. Barricades have been placed along major connecting routes, while security personnel are checking suspicious vehicles.

Nearly 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel, including Delhi Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF), have been deployed across Central and New Delhi to manage the two political events.

More than 4,000 personnel have been stationed around Ramlila Maidan, along the route from Minto Bridge to the rally venue and in surrounding areas. Multi-layered barricading and additional security arrangements have also been put in place around Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Bhagwan Das Road and areas near the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India office.

Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has been imposed in sensitive areas to prevent large unauthorised gatherings. Security agencies are also using CCTV cameras, AI-enabled facial recognition systems and drones to monitor crowd movement.

ANI