BJP March In Delhi Ahead Of Opposition Rally (Img: IANS)
New Delhi: BJP national president Nitin Nabin will lead a foot march titled “Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy” in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk on Wednesday, October 28, as the party intensifies its campaign amid Opposition protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra, MPs and other senior party leaders are expected to join the march, which is scheduled to begin at around 4 pm. More than 15,000 people are expected to participate in the event.
The march comes amid a growing political confrontation over the Election Commission’s SIR exercise. The Congress and other INDIA bloc parties have alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and accused the poll body of facilitating “vote chori”.
The BJP has launched a nationwide campaign under the slogan “Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy” to counter what it describes as misleading claims by the Opposition about the SIR process.
Also Read: SIR Row: Supreme Court adjourns hearing to November 17
The party’s Chandni Chowk march is part of its efforts to mobilise support and challenge the Opposition’s allegations as the dispute over electoral rolls intensifies.
The BJP’s march comes days before the INDIA bloc’s planned mega rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1. The Congress has been mobilising its leaders and affiliated organisations to ensure a large turnout at the event.
The rally aims to protest alleged “vote chori” and demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It will mark the culmination of the Opposition’s ‘Delhi Chalo March’, which Congress leaders have presented as a major demonstration of unity against alleged electoral irregularities and the SIR exercise.
The allegations against the Election Commission remain contested.
Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Invokes Lord Shiva Ahead of Supreme Court Hearing on SIR Row
Earlier this month, the Congress announced a nationwide campaign titled “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao”, with marches planned from October 10 to 20. The campaign aimed to raise public awareness about the SIR exercise and the party’s allegations against the poll body.
The November 1 rally is part of the Opposition’s broader effort to demand accountability over the revision of electoral rolls and alleged irregularities in the process.
The INDIA bloc’s planned rally has also faced opposition from Delhi’s trading community, which fears that traffic restrictions, road closures and security arrangements could disrupt business during the festive shopping season.
On Monday, traders staged a protest at Kashmere Gate, urging the Congress to postpone the November 1 rally until after Diwali.
Brijesh Goyal, chairman of the Chamber of Trade and Industry, said the organisation would write to all INDIA bloc parties. Traders have also approached Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, seeking a change in the rally date.
They warned that the event could affect access to major commercial hubs, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Khari Baoli and Kashmere Gate, at a crucial time for festive sales.
Responding to the protest, Gandhi said the demonstrations would “stop in 30 seconds” if traders asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the “vote chori” issue.
