I.N.D.I.A. Shifts CEC Protest To Kharge Home; BJP Hits Streets
The Opposition will hold the programme at 10, Rajaji Marg, at 3.30 pm on October 30, ahead of its November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan against alleged “vote chori” (vote theft) and irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
New Delhi:The political confrontation over the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls intensified on Wednesday, with the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc shifting its planned “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence after alleged denial of permission for other venues, while the BJP launched a counter-campaign on the streets of Delhi.
The Opposition will hold the programme at 10, Rajaji Marg, at 3.30 pm on October 30, ahead of its November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan against alleged “vote chori” (vote theft) and irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal alleged that the government-run Ashok Hotel had initially permitted the event but later withdrew permission following police intervention. He said the party's subsequent attempt to hold the programme at Ramlila Maidan was also obstructed by police.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh accused the CEC of violating the letter and spirit of the Constitution and undermining electoral democracy. “Having been denied other locations, the I.N.D.I.A. janbandhan will be holding a public impeachment of Gyanesh Kumar at 10, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi at 3.30 pm on Friday, Oct 30, 2026,” he posted on X.
Meanwhile, BJP president Nitin Nabin led the party's “Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao” (Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy) padyatra through Chandni Chowk on Wednesday, countering the Opposition's allegations of electoral manipulation.
Accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra and party workers, Nabin marched from Shri Jain Lal Mandir near the Red Fort to Town Hall Chowk.
Addressing party workers, Nabin accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of opposing the SIR exercise to protect infiltrators and retain bogus voters on electoral rolls.
“Congress leaders are distressed by the SIR exercise that seeks to clean up the voter list. They want a list of 'ghost voters', people with no traceable address or whereabouts. But the BJP is committed to ensuring that infiltrators are removed from it,” he said.
The BJP has planned similar marches across the country until November 5 as part of its campaign to counter the Opposition's allegations.
