‘Chalo Delhi’ march LIVE: Delhi Police says will facilitate march despite no formal permission
Opposition marches against voter deletions, demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation
The INDIA bloc is set to hold a major rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, 1 November, as the Opposition intensifies its campaign against alleged electoral irregularities and the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The mobilisation, being held under the banner of ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’, will begin with a march from the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction at noon.
The Opposition has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of facilitating the deletion of eligible voters from electoral rolls and has demanded the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The rally follows a month of protests, legal challenges and political confrontations over the revision of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police has made extensive security arrangements, with thousands of personnel deployed across central Delhi.
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Who are the INDIA bloc leaders expected at the rally?
Several senior INDIA bloc leaders are expected to attend Sunday's rally, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy.
Other leaders expected to join the demonstration include Abhishek Banerjee, national general-secretary of the Trinamool Congress; RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav; and Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.
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Security tightened at Chilla border
Keralam chief minister V.D. Satheesan to join rally
Keralam chief minister V D Satheesan has confirmed his participation in the INDIA bloc rally. He said he would join citizens in defending democracy, the Constitution and the right to vote.
Delhi Police says it will facilitate march despite no formal permission
Delhi Police has said it will facilitate the INDIA bloc's proposed march from the Minto Road area to Ramlila Maidan, even though organisers have not formally sought permission for the procession. Police have been coordinating with the organisers on the route and security arrangements.
Extensive build-up to the rally
Traffic restrictions will be enforced in several parts of Delhi from 10.00 am- 5.00 pm on Sunday. Key intersections including ITO, Delhi Gate, Rajghat and Ajmeri Gate will see diversions. Commuters are advised to avoid areas around Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Minto Road, and Desh Bandhu Gupta Road and plan their journeys accordingly. Special provisions ensure ambulance and emergency vehicle movements towards LNJP and GB Pant hospitals remain unaffected.
Delhi Police says no permission sought for ‘Chalo Delhi’ march
Delhi Police has said it has not received an application for the proposed march from the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction to Ramlila Maidan. The rally at Ramlila Maidan itself has been permitted. Senior police officers said neither the New Delhi nor the Central district had been informed about the procession. Police said the situation would be monitored and necessary measures taken.
INDIA bloc leaders expected to travel in open buses
Opposition leaders are expected to travel in open buses from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence to Minto Road ahead of the march to Ramlila Maidan. Images of buses being prepared at the Congress headquarters, Indira Bhawan, have emerged ahead of the rally.
4,000 police personnel, 200 CCTV cameras deployed
Delhi Police has deployed more than 4,000 personnel, along with Central Armed Police Forces, for the rally. Ramlila Maidan has been divided into 14 security zones, each supervised by an assistant commissioner of police-rank officer. More than 200 CCTV cameras, drones and body-worn cameras will be used to monitor crowd movement and security.
Left party supporters arrive in Delhi for rally
Supporters of various Left parties arrived at New Delhi railway station on Sunday morning, carrying flags and banners ahead of the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan. Party cadre are expected to join contingents heading towards the venue.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke says outfit will skip rally
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke met Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in Delhi on Saturday to thank her for supporting the outfit's youth-led demonstrations. Dipke expressed solidarity with the INDIA bloc's rally but clarified that the CJP would not join Sunday's demonstration.
Rahul Gandhi urges students, workers and citizens to join march
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has appealed to students, farmers, workers and citizens to join the march, saying the campaign is about protecting democracy and the Constitution. He has also urged people not to be deterred by the prospect of police action.
Kharge leads Opposition's symbolic public impeachment of CEC
The INDIA bloc held a symbolic ‘public impeachment’ of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence on Saturday, 31 October. The event, originally scheduled for Friday, was postponed because of heavy rain in Delhi.
INDIA bloc to march from Minto Road to Ramlila Maidan
The INDIA bloc's ‘Chalo Delhi’ march is scheduled to begin at noon from the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction and culminate at Ramlila Maidan. The rally is being held under the banner of ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’, with the Opposition seeking to mobilise people against alleged electoral irregularities.