Political Showdown: INDIA Alliance Holds Mega Rally Against SIR and CEC Gyanesh Kumar

The INDIA alliance held a major rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Leaders from more than 20 opposition parties participated, targeting the central government and the Election Commission while presenting the gathering as a demonstration of opposition unity. Rahul Gandhi accused Gyanesh Kumar of attempting to suppress the voice of the people and made strong allegations against him. Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded by criticising Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, questioning their political approach and highlighting the government’s record on national security and economic development. The BJP organised counter-marches in different cities, including Delhi, where families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh violence participated, and Rohtak in Haryana, under the leadership of Nitin Nabin. A major controversy also emerged over the rally’s attendance. The BJP released videos and drone footage, claiming that large portions of the ground remained empty and that thousands of chairs were unoccupied. It argued that the venue could not accommodate the opposition’s claimed target of 10 lakh people. Congress, however, described the gathering as historic and claimed it had received unprecedented public support. Both parties presented sharply different assessments of the rally.