Preparations are in full swing for a major show of strength by the INDIA bloc at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, where opposition leaders, party workers, student groups and civil society representatives are expected to assemble to protest alleged electoral irregularities, oppose the revision of electoral rolls and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The massive rally, organised under the banner of ‘Uttar Pradesh Bachao’, will begin with a march from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction towards Ramlila Maidan at noon. The rally is scheduled to take place between 10 am and 5 pm.
Senior INDIA bloc leaders are expected to travel in open buses from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence to the march’s starting point.
The rally is expected to draw participants from across the country. The Indian Youth Congress has said it expects more than 20,000 workers to attend. Its national president, Uday Bhanu Chib, and national in-charge, Manish Sharma, have called for accountability from the Election Commission.
Security arrangements have been intensified ahead of the gathering, with more than 4,000 police personnel and companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed along the march route and at the venue.
Ramlila Maidan has been divided into 14 security zones, each supervised by an officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).
More than 200 CCTV cameras, drones and body-worn cameras will be used to monitor the gathering. A dedicated control room has also been established inside the ground to oversee security arrangements.