Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged people to join the opposition INDIA bloc’s November 1 ‘Chalo Dilli’ march, asking them not to worry about police and their “lathis”. The leader of the opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha asserted that the BJP “will not have the guts to try any of their antics”.
Gandhi said the opposition INDIA bloc’s ‘Chalo Dilli’ march at Ramlila Maidan is to save democracy, put an end to “vote theft” and protect the Constitution. He urged student groups, regardless of political affiliation, to join.
In a video on X, Gandhi said it is a singular protest for the nation. “The ‘Chalo Dilli’ Ramlila March is a march to save democracy, to put an end to the theft of votes, and to protect the Constitution,” the LoP said. This is not a march for any single political party; it is a march for the very soul of India, he asserted.
“To all those who are fed up with Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Gyanesh Kumar, and everyone who wishes to save democracy and defend the Constitution, I invite you all to join,” Gandhi said.
“Don’t worry about the police, don’t worry about lathis - the BJP will not have the guts to try any of their antics. Come march with us - we will walk together to protect the Constitution, to protect the Indian nation,” he said, urging all student groups, regardless of their political affiliation, to join the march if they felt that India is under attack, they themselves are under attack, and their expression, ideas and way of thinking are under attack.
“It will be a fantastic march, and it’s a march for the soul of this country,” Gandhi said. “Looking forward to seeing all of you there,” he added.
Congress general secretary and organisation KC Venugopal also attacked the government, alleging that democracy is under “attack”.
He said 13 crore names have been deleted from electoral rolls and a “massive fraud” was taking place in state after state.
“Our votes are being stolen, and when we demand answers, we are met with lathicharge and detention, but we will not be silenced, we will not be intimidated, we will continue to fight for our democracy,” Venugopal said in a video statement he put out on X.
“Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is leading this fight from the front, fearlessly raising questions and holding those in power accountable. Now it is time for all of us to stand with him and join this fight. On November 1, there will be a massive rally and march by INDIA parties at Ramlila Maidan, Delhi, demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and holding the Modi government accountable,” he said.
He urged Indians to join the INDIA bloc at Ramlila Maidan, saying the future of democracy is at stake and “we cannot afford to remain silent”.
The INDIA bloc will be holding a “public impeachment” proceeding against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Friday at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s 10, Rajaji Marg residence, over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will chair the bloc’s “public impeachment” of the CEC.
After the public impeachment, ‘Dilli Chalo March’ against “vote chori” will be held, culminating at Ramlila Maidan on November 1. A rally will be held there.
Tagging Gandhi’s post, Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said that whether the BJP is refusing to provide trains in Telangana or using Delhi’s traders as a political tool, its attempts to sabotage the Chalo Dilli, Ramlila Maidan March on November 1 will not succeed. The march will go ahead, he added.
“This is not the protest of one community or one political party. It is a protest of the nation-a protest for the 13.30 crore Indians illegally disenfranchised through the SIR.” A protest for every Indian whose voting rights and welfare benefits continue to be under threat. A protest for the 50+ lives lost to suicide, cardiac arrests and other health complications directly linked to the SIR exercise. A protest against Mohan-Modi-Shah-Gyanesh,” Khera said.
He urged people to join the march if they believed that every Indian had the right to vote and snatching away this right was a grave assault on Indian democracy.
Asking people not to worry about the Delhi Police, Khera said this would be a peaceful protest, like the INDIA bloc’s march to the Supreme Court.
“Our resolve, our passion and the sheer joy of this struggle have already intimidated the BJP into steering clear of violence. So, don’t worry about the Delhi Police.
“This is a caravan for the Constitution. A march for democracy. A movement for every Indian. On November 1, come, let’s march to Ramlila Maidan,” Khera said.
BJP hits out at Congress for protest at SCR headquarters
Hyderabad, Oct 29 (PTI) Hitting out at Telangana Congress leaders for staging a dharna at the railways zonal headquarters here over their demand for special trains to transport party workers to Delhi, the BJP on Thursday alleged that the protest was another attempt by the grand old party to create a political controversy.
The protest at the South Central Railway (SCR) headquarters was a Congress ploy to blame Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, suggesting they directed the Railways to reject the request, Telangana BJP chief spokesperson N V Subhash said.
Questioning the Congress party’s understanding of railway procedures, he pointed out that special train bookings require planning and compliance with prescribed formalities.
“How can a party that ruled the country for six decades claim ignorance of the basic procedures for booking special trains? Such requests must be routed through the designated Indian Railways channels, including IRCTC’s Full Tariff Rate (FTR) facility, with the requisite advance notice and approvals,” Subhash said in a statement.
He also expressed concern that repeated political agitations in Delhi are affecting traders during the festive season.
Referring to representations by Delhi traders about business losses during Navaratri and Dussehra, he said political parties should not ignore the economic hardship ordinary people and small businesses face.
With Deepavali approaching and the Railways already operating special services to manage the seasonal rush, Subhash said the opposition could have explored alternatives, including requesting additional coaches, subject to operational feasibility and railway approval.
“People are growing tired of political theatrics that offer no solutions. Instead of introspecting after repeated electoral setbacks, the Congress continues to resort to protests and blame games,” he said.
He said opposition parties should follow established procedures rather than politicise administrative decisions and inconvenience the public during the festive season.
The ruling Congress in Telangana protested at the SCR headquarters here on October 28, alleging that the Railways refused to provide special trains for party workers travelling to New Delhi for a rally against the SIR of electoral rolls.
State Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, several party MLAs and MPs, and other leaders participated in the protest outside the South Central Railway General Manager’s office.
Goud alleged that the denial of special trains was at the behest of PM Modi and Amit Shah.