New Delhi, November 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
INDIA bloc leaders on Sunday expressed confidence that the ‘Dilli Chalo’ rally at Ramlila Maidan would witness massive public participation, describing it as a citizens’ movement against alleged electoral irregularities and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Speaking to IANS, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut described the gathering as a “mega rally” and asserted that the agitation would continue until Gyanesh Kumar resigned.
“They (Government) may be under the assumption that the agitation has ended, but we won’t let them go until Gyanesh Kumar resigns,” Raut said.
He also reiterated Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that people were being prevented from attending the rally.
“The borders are being sealed, even today several trains and buses are being stopped (to deter people). This reflects that the government is scared,” he claimed.
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat alleged that the BJP-led government had undermined the sanctity of constitutional institutions, saying the protest had grown beyond the INDIA bloc.
“This rally is not just of the INDIA bloc’s, but it has rather become a rally of the country’s citizens,” he said.
Bhagat added that the protesters were following Gandhian principles and holding peaceful demonstrations to defend their rights.
Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chand also predicted historic participation, saying the gathering would extend beyond party workers.
SP workers assembled outside party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s official residence in Delhi ahead of the rally, while RJD workers gathered outside Rabri Bhawan in the national capital.
An RJD worker told IANS that people were arriving in Ramlila Maidan from different parts of the country and described the mobilisation as a fight to protect constitutional rights.
“There will be a historic crowd, and it will be a historic rally. The public has taken to the streets for their rights. It is not as if anyone is fighting for themselves, or for any particular party; they are fighting to save the Constitution,” he said.
He added that the right to vote, granted under the Constitution after a long struggle, was at the centre of the protest. He also accused the BJP of rendering the Election Commission ineffective.
Meanwhile, extensive security arrangements were put in place across New Delhi and Central Delhi ahead of the rally at Ramlila Maidan.
Delhi Police personnel, along with additional forces from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), were deployed around Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg.
Speaking to IANS, DCP (Central District) Rohit Rajbir Singh said Ramlila Maidan had an indoor capacity of 45,000 to 50,000 people.
He said authorities would assess the situation if the turnout exceeded the venue’s capacity to prevent any stampede.
In such a situation, the additional crowd would have to be accommodated in the surrounding areas, including Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Asaf Ali Marg and Chaman Lal Marg, he added.
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