Traffic restrictions will be imposed in several parts of Delhi from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 1 for the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan. The Delhi Traffic Police has said diversions may be introduced at key intersections depending on the movement of vehicles and the situation on the roads.
The affected points include Netaji Subhash Marg T-point, Rajghat, Delhi Gate, ITO A-point, Ajmeri Gate red light, Ranjeet Singh Flyover, Jhandewalan roundabout, Turkman Gate and Mirdard Chowk. Commuters are likely to encounter heavy traffic on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg between ITO and Delhi Gate, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg between Rajghat and Ajmeri Gate, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, Minto Road, Desh Bandhu Gupta Road and Barakhamba Road. Roads near Kamla Market and Hamdard Chowk may also be affected.
The rally is being organised by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) over alleged electoral irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Opposition is also seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has said that the INDIA bloc’s ‘Chalo Dilli’ march will start at noon from the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction and proceed to Ramlila Maidan. The rally is scheduled to begin around 11 a.m., while the gathering has been permitted between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The bloc’s planned “public impeachment” of Gyanesh Kumar was shifted to October 31 after rain in the national capital forced its postponement. Opposition leaders have described the events as part of a united campaign to protect voting rights, defend the Constitution and oppose what they call “vote chori” through the SIR process.
Rahul Gandhi has alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah was attempting to prevent people from other States from reaching Delhi for the rally. The Bharatiya Janata Party rejected the allegation as a “lie”. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra asked Gandhi to provide evidence and accused him of misleading the public.
Opposition leaders have predicted a large turnout. Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra said more than 10 lakh people were expected to gather under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Brittas also claimed that 10 lakh people would come to Delhi and alleged that efforts were being made to obstruct mobilisation.
CPI General Secretary D Raja said the Congress-led event, which will include Left parties and other INDIA bloc constituents, would be a major rally as part of a nationwide protest against the Election Commission. He called for the withdrawal of the SIR and said the poll panel must function as an impartial institution to ensure free and fair elections.
Congress preparations have also gathered pace in the States. The Haryana unit held meetings in Karnal, Panipat and Sonipat to coordinate participation. Haryana Congress in-charge Sanjay Dutt and State president Rao Narendra Singh attended the meetings, which reviewed arrangements for the ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, State Congress president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh and other senior leaders left for New Delhi to attend the event. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has also confirmed his participation. He additionally called for clearer photographs on voter identity cards, saying images in electoral rolls were often difficult to recognise.
Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav has formed 20 committees to manage accommodation, venue arrangements, sanitation, social media and other responsibilities connected with the rally.
The Cockroach Janta Party, founded by Abhijeet Dipke, has extended support to the November 1 demonstration and reiterated its demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Mallikarjun Kharge declined to comment on whether CJP leaders would attend the rally; his office clarified that he had chosen not to respond to the question.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad has questioned the timing of the rally during the Diwali period, arguing that festivals, social harmony and economic activity should not be overlooked for political purposes. VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said traders’ organisations in Delhi and members of Hindu society had appealed for the event to be cancelled or postponed. The organisation also referred to the nine-day break taken during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra from December 25 to January 2 for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
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