INDIA Bloc Plans Mega Rally and Mock Impeachment of CEC

The INDIA bloc is organizing a massive wave of nationwide protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging "vote chori" (vote theft) and irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The campaign will culminate in a "Dilli Chalo" mega rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1, with organizers targeting a turnout of one million citizens. This event follows a planned "public impeachment" of Kumar via a mock Parliament scheduled for October 30 at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi.

Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Pinarayi Vijayan, accuse the Election Commission of India of facilitating the illegal deletion of eligible voters to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The bloc is demanding Kumar's resignation, the suspension of the SIR exercise, and the repeal of a 2023 law granting immunity to election commissioners. Mobilization efforts are widespread, with the Tripura unit planning a rally in Agartala on October 30 and leaders in Himachal Pradesh aiming to bring 20,000 participants to the capital.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has condemned the November 1 date, arguing it coincides with the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and insults the Sikh community. Trade bodies have also requested a postponement to avoid disrupting festive business. Rahul Gandhi rejected these objections, sarcastically thanking the BJP for promoting the event to a wider audience. While the Delhi Police have granted permission for the rally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reviewed security arrangements at police headquarters.