Opposition leaders from across the country gathered at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1 for a major INDIA Bloc rally, intensifying their criticism of the BJP-led government and the Election Commission over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.
The demonstration, organised under the broader campaign against alleged vote theft, brought together senior leaders from several opposition parties. Participants demanded accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for his resignation over concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
Mallikarjun Kharge Accuses BJP Leadership of Targeting Voters
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of attempting to influence the electoral process by targeting sections of the electorate, including women, young voters and Dalits.
Addressing supporters, Kharge said the opposition would continue its campaign until the Chief Election Commissioner was held accountable. He described the gathering as an important moment in the fight to protect democratic institutions and voting rights.
Akhilesh Yadav Raises Concerns Over Voter Deletions
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav used the rally to question the BJP’s position on electoral transparency. Referring to alleged voter deletions in Uttar Pradesh, he argued that concerns surrounding electoral rolls could affect supporters of different political parties.
Yadav also brought up controversies surrounding donations to religious institutions, using the issue to criticise what he described as contradictions in the BJP’s political messaging.
Mamata Banerjee Delivers Sharp Message on SIR
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee strongly opposed the SIR exercise, alleging that the process could undermine the voting rights of legitimate citizens.
She directly targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and accused the Election Commission of failing to ensure fairness in the electoral process. Banerjee also appealed to the judiciary and media to take an active interest in protecting democratic rights.
Tejashwi Yadav Uses Mahabharat Reference to Target BJP
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav drew a comparison between the political confrontation and the Mahabharat during his address.
He described the opposition’s struggle as a battle for democratic values and accused the BJP of using political institutions to strengthen its position. His speech added a sharp political dimension to the opposition’s criticism of the ruling establishment.
Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti Emphasise Democratic Unity
National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah highlighted the contribution of Muslims to India’s development and rejected attempts to question their national identity.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also urged citizens to defend democratic rights and expressed concern over what she described as growing threats to constitutional values. Both leaders stressed the importance of protecting the country’s pluralistic character.
INDIA Bloc Attempts to Strengthen Opposition Unity
The Ramlila Maidan gathering brought together leaders from the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, RJD, National Conference and PDP, among others.
The march began near the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction before reaching the rally venue. Party workers, student groups and youth organisations participated, raising slogans and displaying placards against the SIR exercise.
The demonstration highlighted the opposition’s effort to turn electoral-roll concerns into a broader national political campaign. With several state elections approaching, the issue is likely to remain an important point of confrontation between the INDIA Bloc and the BJP.
