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Congress leaders prepare for the proposed November 1 ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. (Img: IANS)
New Delhi: The Congress is aiming to mobilise around one million party workers and INDIA bloc supporters for its November 1 ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally at Ramlila Maidan, with the party demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The proposed mega-rally is drawing attention amid calls for postponement, while senior Congress leaders are coordinating transport and mobilisation efforts across several states.
The Congress is coordinating with state units to bring supporters from Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to Delhi. Party leaders are also exploring special train arrangements to transport cadres from southern states, particularly Telangana and Karnataka, as preparations gather pace.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said the party was making extensive arrangements to mobilise participants and ensure that people could assemble in the capital to raise their concerns. He maintained that the rally was intended to defend citizens’ voting rights and democratic institutions, rather than serve the interests of the Congress alone.
The proposed turnout of one million people would make the rally a major logistical exercise, requiring coordination over transport, accommodation, crowd management and security. The actual attendance, however, will depend on mobilisation and the arrangements finalised closer to the event.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has appealed to students, farmers, workers, women, young people, traders and other citizens concerned about electoral integrity to join the INDIA bloc’s proposed ‘Chalo Dilli’ march and rally.
Gandhi has demanded action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of electoral malpractice. He has also said that the protests could end within 30 seconds if Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed Kumar from office. These remarks reflect the Congress leader’s political position; the allegations remain contested.
The opposition’s campaign centres on claims of irregularities in electoral rolls, including concerns about the deletion of eligible voters’ names during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The BJP has rejected the opposition’s characterisation of the exercise and accused Congress of misleading the public.
The mobilisation drive has coincided with concerns from Delhi’s business community, which has asked the Congress and INDIA bloc to postpone the November 1 rally until after November 10.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry has warned that barricading, traffic diversions and possible restrictions on public transport could disrupt access to major wholesale and retail markets during the festive shopping season. The association has estimated that business worth Rs 10,000 crore could be at risk, although this is a projection by the trade body rather than a verified loss.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has indicated that the leadership would consider the traders’ request. Rahul Gandhi, however, has reiterated his demand for action against the Chief Election Commissioner and maintained that the protest campaign should continue. As of October 26, no official postponement had been announced.
The competing concerns present a challenge for organisers: mobilising a large political gathering while accounting for the impact on commuters, shoppers and traders during a crucial period for local businesses.
