New Delhi: A large number of protesters began gathering at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday morning for the INDIA bloc’s ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally against alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls.
The Opposition is also demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
According to DCP Central Rohit Rajbir, participants began arriving around 5.30 am, with police and volunteers managing crowds and facilitating entry.
More than 200 CCTV cameras have been installed around the venue, while police personnel are stationed across designated enclosures.
The ‘Chalo Dilli’ march will begin at noon from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction and culminate at Ramlila Maidan, where the rally is scheduled until 5 pm.
The Opposition has projected a turnout of nearly 10 lakh, while police have planned for around 50,000 participants.
Nearly 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Central Delhi. Traffic restrictions and diversions are in place at several key junctions from 10 am to 5 pm.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged participants travelling to Delhi to support local traders by shopping during the festive season.
TMC MP Sagarika Ghose said the demand for Kumar’s removal should be taken up through formal proceedings in Parliament.
The rally follows the INDIA bloc’s symbolic impeachment proceedings against Kumar on Saturday. The BJP has also planned a march in Hari Nagar over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The protests gained momentum following allegations of electoral irregularities and reports questioning decision-making within the Election Commission.
The poll body has maintained that its decisions were unanimous. Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said his organisation supports the protest but will not formally join it.
