Telangana Congress leaders staged a protest against the reported denial of special trains requested to transport party workers to New Delhi for the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally. The demonstration took place outside the South Central Railway General Manager’s office in Secunderabad on October 28, 2026.
The protest reflects the growing political activity surrounding the opposition’s campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.
Congress Leaders Lead Demonstration in Secunderabad
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud led the demonstration along with other party leaders and workers. They objected to the railway authorities’ response to the party’s request for special train services to Delhi.
The Congress leaders argued that the additional trains were needed to help supporters from Telangana participate in the opposition’s planned rally at Ramlila Maidan.
Party Alleges Delay in Railway Decision
Congress leaders claimed that their request for special trains had remained pending for six days before being rejected. They questioned the timing of the decision and alleged that the denial would make it difficult for party workers to travel to the national capital.
The party also raised concerns over the arrangements for transporting a large number of supporters to the rally.
Several Leaders Courted Arrest
During the demonstration, Mahesh Kumar Goud and other Congress leaders, including state minister Ponnam Prabhakar, courted arrest. Party workers joined the protest, demanding that their request for additional train services be reconsidered.
The demonstration added a Telangana dimension to the opposition’s preparations for the November 1 gathering.
Railway Authorities Cite Operational Constraints
South Central Railway maintained that the request could not be accommodated because it was received at short notice and required extensive operational arrangements.
Special train services involve coordination related to train availability, routes, scheduling and other operational requirements. The railway’s explanation differs from the Congress leaders’ allegations about the handling of their request.
November 1 Rally Remains Congress’s Focus
The Congress and its INDIA bloc partners are preparing for a major gathering at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1. The opposition has been raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged voter-list irregularities.
Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders have appealed to people to participate in the demonstration. The Telangana protest highlights the logistical challenges and political mobilisation taking place ahead of the Delhi rally.
The dispute over special trains has now become another point of contention between the Telangana Congress and railway authorities as the party continues its preparations for the national-level protest.
