India’s INDIA bloc holds a “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, with Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge addressing allegations of “vote chori” and demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal. Kharge tells supporters to “remove Modi” to save democracy, and accuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of shielding the CEC.
BJP leaders respond with counter-messaging and criticism of the rally’s scale, claims of public support, and past records of opposition parties. BJP figures including Sambit Patra challenge the Congress claim that 10 lakh people attended, arguing large areas of the venue appeared empty based on chair counts and visible space. Other BJP leaders also mount a parallel line of attack, holding counter-protests elsewhere with the slogan “Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao,” and accusing the opposition of hurting sentiments by holding the event on November 1, the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Rahul Gandhi, for his part, uses the “Shiv ki Baraat” metaphor to argue for an inclusive India, and says the first step is removing Gyanesh Kumar amid the INDIA bloc’s complaints about electoral-roll revisions.
