The Opposition INDIA bloc is set to hold a mega rally at Ramlila Maidan against alleged electoral irregularities and to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while the ruling BJP is preparing a counter-offensive by organising a protest march to commemorate the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
With two major political events unfolding simultaneously, Delhi is set to witness a high-voltage political showdown on Saturday.
The Opposition is gearing up for a march from Minto Road to Ramlila Maidan, followed by a rally expected to bring together political parties, student groups and civil society organisations. Several leaders and supporters from different states have arrived in the national capital for the show of strength.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has also extended its support to the rally, although its leaders are unlikely to participate directly in the protest.
The march is scheduled to begin at 11 am, with INDIA bloc MPs assembling at the Constitution Club before proceeding at noon from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction towards Ramlila Maidan.
Top Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Hemant Soren, Revanth Reddy, Tejashwi Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav, are expected to attend the rally.
Preparations at Ramlila Maidan have gathered pace over the past few days. Workers have erected a large tricolour-covered tent over the main stage for senior Opposition leaders, while a second stage is being set up for representatives of INDIA bloc state units.
INDIA bloc leaders have said they are expecting a turnout of up to 10 lakh people, while Delhi Police estimates that around 50,000 people may attend. Ramlila Maidan has been divided into 14 zones, and police have installed hundreds of high-definition cameras as part of security arrangements.
Meanwhile, the ruling BJP is mounting a counter-offensive with a march in West Delhi to commemorate the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The party has accused the Congress of organising a political rally on the anniversary of the violence.
The BJP march will begin at 11:30 am from Hari Nagar Bus Depot and proceed towards Tilak Nagar Metro Station in West Delhi. It will be led by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi BJP president, Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Sardar H.S. Phoolka, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and MP Bansuri Swaraj, along with members of the Sikh community.
Earlier, BJP MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney is scheduled to address the media alongside victims of the 1984 riots at Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib.
