INDIA bloc mega rally LIVE UPDATES: Security heightened across national capital as INDIA bloc, BJP hold rival marches

PTC News Desk: Leaders of 21 INDIA bloc parties, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, will march from Connaught Place to Ramlila Maidan on Sunday. The rally is being held to protest alleged electoral irregularities and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The leaders will travel by open buses from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence to Minto Road junction in Connaught Place. From there, they will march through Ajmeri Gate to Ramlila Maidan. The march is scheduled to begin at noon.

The INDIA bloc has organised the rally to oppose the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and alleged irregularities in voter lists. Opposition parties have accused the poll body of failing to protect the fairness of elections and have called for Kumar to resign.

Rahul Gandhi invited people to join the march on Saturday, sharing the route and schedule. “See you… let’s walk together!” he said.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also urged people to take part, describing the march as a collective effort to defend the Constitution, democracy and the right to vote.

The event is part of a wider Opposition campaign involving political parties, civil society groups and other organisations. Rahul Gandhi has alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the CEC and his team are undermining democracy.

The rally follows ongoing criticism by the Congress and its allies of the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR exercise. Opposition parties have also accused the BJP of benefiting from alleged voter-list irregularities.