NEW DELHI — Opposition INDIA bloc held a 'Chalo Dilli' protest rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on November 1, 2026, demanding the ouster of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of vote deletion during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The rally featured creative political expression with slogans, posters and placards delivering the message against what opposition called 'vote theft'. A highlight was a voter roll scroll reportedly over a kilometre in length displaying names of allegedly deleted voters from two constituencies, carried by young farmer Bhagat Singh from Haryana.
Rahul Gandhi addressed the crowd, asserting the 2024 Lok Sabha election was a 'stolen election' with just a 3 per cent margin between NDA and INDIA bloc votes. He emphasized Hindu-Muslim unity while reaching out to OBCs and Dalits, stating: 'If a farmer works hard, he should be allowed to fulfil his dream. If a student studies for 18 hours, they should be rewarded.'
A mock impeachment of Kumar was held on October 31 at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, said the beginning of the end of Gyanesh Kumar's 'vote theft' would start at Ramlila Maidan. Amit Shah responded during the mock impeachment: 'If you [Rahul Gandhi] want to become PM, stay in mock parliament your entire life; your turn won't come.'
The rally drew diverse participants, including former RSS member Vinod Bharti who expressed support for Gandhi, and farmer Ramesh Kumar from Rohtak who warned: 'If the government still doesn't listen even now, we will come out onto the streets!'
While the ruling BJP dismissed the event and questioned attendance figures, the protest has drawn considerable attention to opposition concerns about electoral integrity. The event also featured young voters claiming to be 'apolitical' who attended to voice their dissatisfaction.
The rally's outcome may have bearing on upcoming state elections, particularly in Uttar Pradesh where Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav attended, indicating continued opposition unity ahead of crucial state polls.
