‘Tell Modi to sack ‘accused no. 4’: Rahul Gandhi tells Delhi traders ahead of planned November 1 rally

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday urged Delhi’s traders to press Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, saying protests over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls would end within 30 seconds if the demand were met.

In a post on X, Gandhi accused the government of disrupting business and public movement in the national capital by shutting metro services, sealing roads and imposing restrictions during demonstrations against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

“To every trader in Delhi: We love you and hear you,” Gandhi wrote. He warned that what he described as a stolen vote threatened not only democracy but also businesses, savings and children’s futures.

“Tell Modi to sack accused no. 4, Gyanesh Kumar and the protests will stop in 30 seconds,” he added.

His remarks came amid concerns from Delhi’s trading community over the INDIA bloc’s planned rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.

Traders have asked the opposition alliance to postpone the event, warning that demonstrations and restrictions could affect business during the festive shopping season.

Delhi traders seek postponement of November 1 rally

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged the INDIA bloc to defer its November 1 rally until after November 10, citing the possible impact of traffic diversions, road closures and transport restrictions on markets across the capital.

The traders’ body has also pointed to losses allegedly caused by previous rallies, marches and road closures in Connaught Place and other parts of central Delhi.

The proposed rally is part of the opposition alliance’s campaign against alleged electoral irregularities and its demand for Kumar’s removal.

The Congress has accused the Election Commission of failing to address concerns over the SIR exercise. It has also called for changes to the legal framework governing the appointment and protection of election commissioners.

Kharge renews demand for CEC’s resignation

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday accused the Modi government of using every possible means to protect Kumar despite what he described as “countless revelations of vote theft”.

Kharge alleged that the Election Commission had declined to disclose information about the software used in the SIR process under the Right to Information (RTI) framework, citing “Trade Secrets”.

He called on people to join the INDIA bloc’s November 1 Dilli Chalo march and rally at Ramlila Maidan, presenting the campaign as a fight to protect democracy and the Constitution.

Kharge also raised questions about electoral records in Uttar Pradesh. He claimed that details of 16.18 lakh Form 6 applications had not been made public. Form 6 is used to apply for inclusion in electoral rolls.

He further cited discrepancies involving 10,470 voters in Pilibhit and said the matter had prompted authorities to order an investigation into Forms 6, 7 and 8 across the state.

Congress demands halt to SIR and return of paper ballots

Kharge reiterated the INDIA bloc’s demands, including Kumar’s resignation, repeal of the 2023 law providing protection to election commissioners, an immediate halt to the SIR exercise and restoration of voters’ names that the opposition alleges were illegally removed.

He also called for elections to be conducted using paper ballots.

“This is not just a fight to save votes; it is a people’s struggle to save the Constitution and democracy,” Kharge said.

On Sunday, the Congress accused the Election Commission of withholding information about its ECINET software. The party alleged that repeated refusals to disclose details were intended to conceal what it described as “massive, centralised manipulation” during the SIR exercise.

The Election Commission’s response to the latest allegations was not included in the statements issued by the Congress leaders.