Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday appealed to citizens, political parties and student organisations to join the INDIA bloc's November 1 protest at Ramlila Maidan, describing it as a collective fight against alleged "vote chori" and a campaign to defend democracy and the Constitution. In a video message posted on X, he said the demonstration was not the initiative of any single political party but a movement to protect the country's democratic foundations.
"Chalo Delhi Ramlila March is a march to save democracy, stop vote theft and protect the Constitution. This is not the march of any one political party; it is a march for the soul of India," he said, urging those worried about the state of democratic institutions and constitutional rights to take part. He asked people "fed up" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to turn up.
Addressing students, Gandhi said they need not fear a police crackdown. "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. Another account of the same video records the word "batons" and the phrase "will not dare to carry out any such action", and the two versions also give the event slightly different names, "Chalo Delhi Ramlila March" and "Chalo Delhi".
The protest presses for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision process. A senior Congress MP said the opposition had moved multiple motions in the two Houses for his removal but they were not accepted despite having the required support, and that the presiding officers turned them down in April. The alliance would now take its case to the public, the MP said.
After authorities refused permission for a mock impeachment at the Ramlila ground, opposition leaders prepared to hold the exercise at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's residence at 10, Rajaji Marg, sources said. A stage has been erected on the bungalow's lawn for proceedings modelled on a parliamentary debate and a court hearing, with Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, to introduce the motion. Former Speaker Meira Kumar could preside, and MPs, jurists, lawyers and people affected by the revision are expected to speak, according to sources, one of whom called it "a short play".
Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal have reviewed the arrangements and held discussions with state units on mobilising workers. A senior party leader from Uttar Pradesh said its western unit had been asked to bring at least 25,000 people, while alliance partners have been told to bring large crowds.
(With inputs from media reports)