INDIA bloc, BJP to hold rival marches in Delhi today; 10,000 security personnel deployed

The INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Delhi' march will culminate at Ramlila Maidan, where Opposition leaders will demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Meanwhile, the BJP will organise a separate march in west Delhi to commemorate victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, accusing the Congress of choosing the anniversary of the violence to stage its political demonstration.

With thousands expected to participate in the two events, security has been significantly tightened across Delhi, with nearly 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed.

Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee among leaders expected at INDIA bloc March

The INDIA bloc MPs will assemble at Constitution Club at 11 am, with the march scheduled to begin at noon from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction and conclude at Ramlila Maidan.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav are among the prominent leaders expected to participate.

Posters announcing the 'Chalo Delhi' march have appeared around Ramlila Maidan. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) and other groups have also called on people to join the demonstration.

The rally follows an Opposition meeting on Saturday, during which Kharge moved a symbolic resolution outlining six allegations against the CEC.

The resolution accused Kumar of attempting to influence elections, overseeing the deletion of 13.2 crore voters, changing Form 6 without parliamentary oversight and taking control of electoral rolls through the ECINET platform.

It also alleged that the two other Election Commissioners were excluded from key decisions, referring to a report published by The Indian Express.

The BJP has dismissed the Opposition's campaign as "melodrama".

Why is the opposition demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation?

The Opposition has accused the Election Commission of manipulating electoral rolls through the SIR exercise, alleging that large numbers of eligible voters have been removed from voter lists.

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, who announced the November 1 demonstration last month, described the campaign as 'Chalo Dilli, Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao'.

Venugopal alleged that 13 crore names had been deleted from electoral rolls and claimed that electoral irregularities were taking place across several states.

He also praised Rahul Gandhi for "fearlessly raising questions" and holding those in power accountable.

BJP's counter-March over 1984 anti-Sikh riots

The BJP will hold its own demonstration in west Delhi, focusing on the victims and survivors of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The march will begin at 11.30 am from Hari Nagar bus depot and proceed towards Tilak Nagar Metro station.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, advocate HS Phoolka, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa and party MP Bansuri Swaraj are expected to participate.

Before the march, BJP MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney will address the media alongside riot survivors at Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib. Families of those killed in the 1984 violence are also expected to join the demonstration.

The BJP has accused the Congress of choosing the anniversary of the anti-Sikh violence to organise its Opposition rally.

10,000 police personnel deployed, traffic restrictions announced

Delhi Police have deployed nearly 10,000 personnel, including members of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF), across central and New Delhi.

More than 4,000 personnel have been assigned to security around Ramlila Maidan, the Minto Bridge-to-Ramlila Maidan route and adjoining areas.

Multi-layered barricades have been installed around Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Bhagwan Das Road and areas surrounding the Supreme Court and Election Commission of India office.

Police have also installed around 200-250 CCTV cameras to monitor the situation. Senior police officer Rohit Rajbir said authorities were coordinating with the rally organisers through a joint control room to ensure security.

Traffic restrictions and diversions will remain in place in parts of central Delhi between 10 am and 5 pm. Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly.

Gatherings have also been prohibited at Jantar Mantar and outside the Election Commission's office as part of the security arrangements.

Delhi traders fear business losses ahead of Diwali

The INDIA bloc's rally has also triggered concerns among traders in Delhi, who fear that road closures and traffic congestion could disrupt festive shopping ahead of Diwali.

The Automotive Parts Merchant Association (APMA) has reportedly objected to the timing and location of the demonstration, arguing that major commercial areas could be affected.

Association president Vinay Narang said traders supported the democratic right to protest but were concerned about the potential disruption, according to NDTV.

He pointed out that Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Daryaganj, Mori Gate and Kashmere Gate were all located within three kilometres of the rally venue.

Narang claimed that outstation traders often avoided visiting Delhi for nearly three days before and after major political rallies because of traffic disruptions.

APMA vice-president Ravinder Singh Kohli said daily-wage workers, including porters, coolies and cart-pullers, would suffer the most, as they depend on daily earnings of around Rs 200-300.

Association general secretary Dharampal Ratra estimated that traders could suffer losses exceeding Rs 2,000.

Rahul Gandhi responds to traders' concerns

Responding to the objections, Rahul Gandhi dismissed concerns that the rally would hurt businesses and urged participants to combine their protest with some festive shopping.

"Protest, march, hold rallies, and along with that, do a little shopping too. It will benefit the traders," Gandhi said.

He further claimed that the BJP was spreading rumours because it was scared of the Opposition's demonstration.

Cockroach Janta Party stays away from INDIA bloc rally

Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has decided not to participate in the INDIA bloc's demonstration.

The party's founder, Abhijeet Dipke, met Mamata Banerjee in Delhi on Saturday and thanked her for supporting the outfit's youth-led protests.

Dipke recalled Banerjee's support during the group's earlier Jantar Mantar demonstration and when activists Saurav and Ashutosh were arrested by Delhi Police.

However, he clarified that the CJP would maintain its independent identity and would not join Sunday's Opposition protest.

With rival political demonstrations, heightened security and traffic restrictions, Delhi is bracing for a politically charged day as the INDIA bloc and BJP prepare to take their respective battles to the streets.