Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed the logistical concerns surrounding the event in a social media post on Saturday evening. He urged the “lakhs” of people expected to arrive in Delhi from various states to engage in local shopping to support traders during the Diwali, Chhath, and Bhai Dooj festival season. “Protest, march, rally, and also do a little shopping – it will benefit the traders,” Gandhi wrote, asserting that the rally would not harm local businesses. He attributed rumors of potential damage to traders to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating the ruling party was “spreading rumours because it is scared.”
The political context of the rally centers on ongoing disputes regarding the integrity of the electoral process. The INDIA bloc, comprising multiple opposition parties, has accused the Election Commission of compromising its independence by removing large numbers of voters from the rolls. To amplify this grievance, the bloc held a symbolic “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The session, chaired by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, concluded with the acceptance of a motion demanding Kumar’s removal, though it was a symbolic act rather than a formal constitutional impeachment.
Security and crowd management preparations for the event are extensive. Delhi Police has stated it expects approximately 50,000 attendees, noting that the capacity of Ramlila Maidan is limited to 30,000–40,000 people due to seating arrangements and safety barriers. In contrast, INDIA bloc leaders have projected attendance of up to one million. More than 4,000 police personnel, along with central armed police battalions, have been deployed. The venue has been divided into 14 sections, each monitored by senior police officers, with over 200 CCTV cameras, drones, and body cameras in use. A control room has also been established within the grounds.
Traffic restrictions will be enforced in several parts of Delhi from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday. Authorities have advised the public to avoid routes around Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Minto Road, and Deshbhanda Gupta Road. Special provisions have been made for emergency vehicles and ambulances. While permission for the rally at Ramlila Maidan has been granted, Delhi Police noted that no application was received for the proposed march from Minto Road-Khan Market junction.
The event has drawn support from beyond the political parties. Student organizations, social groups, and the Cockroach Jana Party (CJP), a youth organization, have announced their participation. The Indian Youth Congress expects over 20,000 of its workers to attend, pledging to demand accountability from the Election Commission. The INDIA bloc has also appealed to students, youth, women, and laborers to join the demonstration.
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