In brief
Security personnel surrounded the planned protest site in Delhi and warned of traffic diversions as opposition parties prepare a march that could draw hundreds of thousands. The demonstration will demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over controversial voter list revisions, challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the 2029 elections.
Indian security forces surrounded a planned opposition protest site in Delhi and warned of traffic diversions as the Congress party prepared for a march that could draw hundreds of thousands of participants.
Batons, shields and riot‑control vehicles were positioned around the venue at the Ramlila Maidan, where the rally is set to take place. Police said a large gathering was expected and that traffic regulations would be implemented as required.
The protest, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, will demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a revision of voter lists that critics say favours the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The opposition, along with student organisations and the youth‑led Cockroach Janta Party, has held near‑daily demonstrations since last month calling on Gyanesh Kumar to step down.
The march will cover nearly 1.5 kilometers from central Delhi to the Ramlila Maidan. Analysts say the growing support for the opposition marks the worst crisis for Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he came to power in 2014, but his government remains stable and the next general election is not due until 2029.
The Election Commission has denied any favouritism, stating that wrongly deleted voters can re‑enroll. The BJP accuses rivals of trying to undermine democracy by questioning legitimate electoral procedures.
People have started coming to participate in this rally...we have ensured proper arrangements at the venue, and arrangements are also planned on the route of the march that will happen in a few hours from now.
The senior police officer speaking to Reuters confirmed that authorities had taken “proper arrangements at the venue” and were monitoring traffic along the march route.
With security tightened, the protest is set to be a significant challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, as the opposition seeks to force a change in the election administration ahead of the 2029 elections.
