Opposition mega rally in Delhi demands resignation of chief election commissioner over voter roll revision

Rally Details and Venue

Tens of thousands of people gathered in India's capital, Delhi, for a major opposition rally demanding the resignation of the country's chief election commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar. The rally, organised by the opposition INDIA bloc and led by Rahul Gandhi's Congress party, took place at Ramlila Maidan, a sprawling ground in central Delhi.

Attendees arrived via jeeps through crowds of supporters. Key figures present included Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, alongside opposition figures Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, and Tejashwi Yadav. The event was scheduled for Sunday, following a mock impeachment session held the previous day at Kharge's residence.

Delhi police granted permission for the Sunday rally under specific conditions: the rally must end by 5pm, CCTV cameras must be installed at the venue, and no marches are permitted outside the designated protest site.

The Core Controversy: Voter Roll Revision

The rally follows weeks of protests over a voter-list revision exercise that has removed 130 million names from draft electoral rolls. The exercise, known as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), is intended to remove individuals who have died, moved away, or are otherwise ineligible to vote, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

However, opposition parties accuse CEC Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using the exercise to manipulate elections. Both the BJP and the ECI deny these allegations.

The controversy intensified in September after *The Indian Express* newspaper reported that Kumar had made key decisions regarding the exercise despite objections from the two other election commissioners on more than a dozen occasions. The ECI stated that differences of opinion were normal in any institution and did not affect its functioning.

On Saturday, leaders of the INDIA bloc staged a symbolic impeachment of Kumar at Kharge's residence. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided over the mock parliamentary session, where leaders accused the election chief of "conspiring to steal elections" and deliberately removing 130 million voters. Under Indian law, the CEC can only be removed through a formal parliamentary process, making the proceedings purely symbolic.

Claims, Denials, and Verification

Confirmed Information:

• Tens of thousands gathered at Ramlila Maidan for a rally demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
• The rally was organized by the INDIA bloc and led by Rahul Gandhi's Congress party.
• Key attendees included Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, and Tejashwi Yadav.
• The voter-list revision exercise (SIR) removed 130 million names from draft electoral rolls.
• The ECI states the SIR is intended to remove deceased, moved, or ineligible individuals.
• The BJP and ECI deny allegations of manipulating elections.
• Delhi police granted permission with conditions (end by 5pm, CCTV, no marches outside site).

Reported Claims:

• Opposition parties allege eligible voters are being deliberately removed to benefit the BJP.
• Opposition leaders claim Kumar made key decisions despite objections from other commissioners.
• Leaders accused Kumar of "conspiring to steal elections."

Unknowns:

• Exact number of attendees (source specifies "tens of thousands").
• Whether the BJP or CEC will formally respond to the resignation demand.

Practical Implications and How to Verify: To verify the claims and facts surrounding this event, readers should refer to the original BBC News report linked in the source material for confirmed details on the rally's organization, attendees, and police permissions. Additionally, consult the official Election Commission of India (ECI) website for the official rationale behind the SIR exercise and statements regarding the allegations of manipulation. Monitor Delhi police official communications for updates on the rally's permitted duration and security arrangements.