New Delhi, Oct 26: The Congress will hold its ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ mega public meeting at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital on November 1, party president Mallikarjun Kharge announced on Monday.
The INDIA bloc had announced to hold the protest at the Ramlila Maidan on September 30 after its meeting against vote theft and irregularities in the special intensive revision (SIR) of voter rolls and seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Kharge announced the November 1 rally in a video shared on X, alleging that the constitutional right to vote of millions of Indians was under threat.
“The constitutional right of the Indian people to cast their votes is under threat. CEC Gyanesh Kumar is solely responsible for this; he has acted entirely at the behest of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister,” Kharge said.
Kharge also criticised the government over inflation.
In his video statement, Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Upper House of Parliament, said, “Greetings, friends. It is the festive season, yet you are currently grappling with back-breaking inflation. The government, however, is completely unconcerned—all they know how to do is steal votes. Large-scale vote theft has taken place, and it continues even now.”
Kharge also said that in this regard, a ‘Save the Vote, Save the Nation’ (Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao) mega-rally will be held on November 1st at the historic Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi”.
He also appealed the people to join te rally in Delhi and ks eit a success.
“I appeal to you to participate actively in this rally to protect our Constitution and democracy, and to help make this campaign a success. Long live the Constitution! Jai Hind!” he added.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also urged traders in Delhi to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, saying protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls would stop “in 30 seconds” if the government acted on the demand.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi accused the government of disrupting business in the national capital by shutting metro services, sealing roads and imposing restrictions during protests against the SIR exercise.
“To every trader in Delhi: We love you and hear you,” Gandhi wrote, warning that what he described as “a stolen vote” could threaten businesses, savings and the future of children.
“Tell Modi to sack accused no. 4, Gyanesh Kumar and the protests will stop in 30 seconds,” he added.
The appeal from the Congress leaders came after the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) requested the INDIA bloc to postpone its November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan until after November 10.
The traders’ body said traffic diversions and transport restrictions could affect business during the festive shopping season. It also cited losses caused by previous rallies, marches and road closures in Connaught Place and other parts of central Delhi.
The INDIA bloc has planned the rally as part of its campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and its demand for Kumar’s removal.
