INDIA Bloc Protests at Ramlila Maidan, Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation

Supporters of various INDIA bloc parties gathered at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan early Sunday morning for the 'Chalo Dilli' protest. The Opposition alliance alleged electoral irregularities and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Party workers from different states mobilized for the event, with Samajwadi Party workers assembling outside Akhilesh Yadav's residence and Congress supporters gathering outside Himachal Bhawan before proceeding to the rally venue. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had urged attendees on Saturday to shop from local traders ahead of Diwali, Chhath, and Bhai Dooj, asserting the protest would not harm businesses and accusing the BJP of spreading rumors due to fear of the mobilization.

The 'Chalo Dilli' mobilization commenced with a march from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction at noon, culminating in a rally at Ramlila Maidan. Senior alliance leaders were expected to travel in open buses from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence to the march's starting point. At Ramlila Maidan, a large tricolour canopy was erected over the main stage for senior leaders, with a second stage for state unit representatives, along with white canopy tents, metal barricades, and temporary platforms. Organizers arranged separate entry gates, enclosures, drinking water, separate toilets for women, and parking coordination, with overnight stay not permitted. While the INDIA bloc expected a turnout of up to 10 lakh people, Delhi Police anticipated around 50,000, noting Ramlila Maidan's capacity is 45,000-50,000 empty, or 30,000-40,000 with seating and enclosures, with space for spillover.

Security measures included the deployment of over 4,000 police personnel and Central Armed Police Forces. The ground was divided into 14 zones, each supervised by an assistant commissioner-rank officer, with over 200 CCTV cameras, drones, and body-worn cameras for surveillance. The INDIA bloc appealed to students, youth, women, workers, and civil society members to join, with support from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student organizations. This protest followed a symbolic 'public impeachment' of CEC Kumar organized by the INDIA bloc at Kharge's residence on Saturday, presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, where Kharge moved a resolution outlining the Opposition's charges, and Rahul Gandhi delivered concluding remarks before its adoption. The Opposition's core grievance is 'vote chori,' citing alleged large-scale deletion of voters' names during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

What to watch: Further developments regarding the INDIA bloc's allegations and the Election Commission's response.

Editor's note: The report effectively summarizes the protest details, security measures, and the Opposition's stated grievances using the provided source text.