The Congress-led INDIA bloc and the BJP will hold separate marches in Delhi on Sunday over electoral roll revisions and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, prompting the Delhi Police to deploy nearly 10,000 personnel and impose traffic restrictions in several parts of the national capital. With both parties preparing for large gatherings in central and west Delhi, security has been stepped up across the city, with police installing barricades and announcing traffic diversions to manage crowds and minimise disruption to commuters throughout the day.
INDIA bloc march to Ramlila Maidan
The INDIA bloc's "Chalo Dilli" rallyis scheduled to begin from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction at noon, with participants expected to proceed to Ramlila Maidan for a public meeting.
The protest is directed against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and other leaders of the opposition alliance are expected to attend the gathering.
Party workers began arriving at Ramlila Maidan in the morning, while supporters assembled at other points in the city before heading towards the venue. Several groups also travelled from outside Delhi for the event.
The alliance has accused the Election Commission of wrongly removing voters from the rolls and demanded Kumar's resignation. Congress general secretary K C Venugopal has alleged that about 13 crore names were deleted during the revision exercise.
The Election Commission has rejected allegations of political bias and maintained that eligible voters can seek corrections or re-enrolment under the prescribed process.
On Saturday, opposition leaders adopted a resolution against Kumar at a symbolic event held at Kharge's residence. The BJP criticised the exercise, accusing the alliance of undermining a constitutional institution.
BJP march over 1984 riots
The BJP, meanwhile, is scheduled to hold a march from the Hari Nagar bus depot to Tilak Nagar Metro station in west Delhi.
Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and other party leaders are expected to take part, along with relatives of victims and survivors of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
BJP leaders objected to the Congress-led alliance holding its rally on November 1, the date associated with the violence against Sikhs following the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.
The riots left thousands dead, particularly in Delhi. The BJP said its procession was intended to remember those killed in the violence.
Security, traffic arrangements
Nearly 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in central and New Delhi, according to reports citing police preparations.
More than 4,000 personnel were assigned to Ramlila Maidan and surrounding routes. The ground was divided into 14 security zones, with CCTV cameras, drones and barricades deployed for crowd management.
Security was also increased around Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar and roads near the Election Commission office.
The Delhi Traffic Police warned that restrictions and diversions could affect central Delhi between 10 am and 5 pm.
Motorists were advised to avoid stretches near Minto Road, Delhi Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg and Barakhamba Road. Travellers heading to New Delhi Railway Station were asked to plan their journeys carefully.
In west Delhi, traffic could be affected on Jail Road between Lajwanti Chowk and Tilak Nagar from 9 am to 3 pm because of the BJP march. Police recommended alternative routes and use of the Metro wherever possible.
The planned demonstrations also drew concern from traders in markets such as Sadar Bazaar and Chandni Chowk, who feared disruption to business ahead of the festival season.
Rahul Gandhi sought to address those concerns on Saturday, asking rally participants to buy goods from local shops while visiting the capital.
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