INDIA Bloc Leaders Target Election Commission and PM Modi at Delhi Mega Rally

UPDATE - follow-up to 'Chalo Dilli' protests: Rahul Gandhi assures 'legal action against PM Modi'; Kharge says 'we're not afraid to fight' | LIVE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that Delhi traders had repeatedly urged the Congress to postpone its November 1 rally until after Diwali due to festival-season business concerns. The INDIA bloc's mega rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi drew leaders who marched from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence to the venue.

Reactions and Claims

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of stealing votes and vowed that legal action would follow. Rahul Gandhi also claimed that 15% of India's voters were removed from electoral rolls after the 2024 elections. BJP MP Sambit Patra claimed that 40% of Ramlila Maidan was vacant during the event, noting that thousands of the 28,000 chairs were empty and disputing the Congress claim of ten lakh attendees. Union Minister JP Nadda decried the rally as a foolish drama and accused the Congress of inciting unrest.

Context

Mass political rallies at Ramlila Maidan are a long-standing feature of Indian public life, serving as major platforms for opposition parties to demonstrate collective strength and voice policy grievances. Such large-scale demonstrations frequently draw sharply contrasting estimates of attendance from rival political camps.