Despite appeals from trade bodies to postpone the INDIA bloc rally scheduled for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan, the Opposition has decided to proceed with the protest in Delhi. At least 10 lakh people are expected to take part in the rally.
The Congress is all geared up to prominently raise its demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Congress leadership on Saturday met the heads of its frontal organisations and Delhi unit leaders and discussed plans to make the rally a success.
"We continued our meetings to take stock of preparations for the INDIA Bloc Mega Rally against Vote Chori on November 1st, as we met with Chairpersons and In-charges of various frontals and departments at Indira Bhavan today," Venugopal said on X.
Haryana Congress in-charge Sanjay Dutt and state unit president Rao Narendra Singh said the party's nationwide 'Vote Bachao Desh Bachao' campaign was entering a decisive phase.
The INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan will mark the culmination of its 'Delhi Chalo' protest against alleged Election Commission irregularities and the ongoing voter roll revisions.
Dutt said that the rally was part of a national movement to protect citizens' voting rights, strengthen democracy and ensure accountability on the part of the BJP government.
'The right to vote is the foundation of democracy. Protecting every citizen's vote is equivalent to safeguarding the Constitution and the people's mandate,' he said.
People from all across the country will attend the gathering to send the message, "we are united in protecting our democracy and driving these vote chors out of power", Venugopal said.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry on Saturday wrote to Rahul Gandhi, urging him to postpone the protest rally in Delhi. CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal requested that the rally be rescheduled to a date after Bhai Dooj, which falls on November 10 this year.
The traders pointed out that Dhanteras, Diwali, and Bhai Dooj are among the busiest periods for Delhi retail markets.
The traders also pointed out that they had incurred losses of approximately ₹ 3,000 crore in October due to the road closures and other restrictions due to the protest.
INDIA bloc to hold 'public impeachment' of CEC on Oct 30
Ahead of the Nov 1 rally, it is learnt that the leaders of the opposition INDIA Bloc will hold a 'public impeachment' of CEC Gyanesh Kumar on October 30 and announce a public verdict against him.
The "mock Parliament" would be held at Hotel Ashok.
