10 lakh turnout target, 4,000 cops, 200 CCTV: Delhi braces for INDIA bloc’s anti-CEC rally at Ramlila Maidan | India News
NEW DELHI: Delhi is gearing up for INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, with opposition parties expecting a turnout of up to 10 lakh people and police deploying more than 4,000 personnel to manage security and crowds.The rally is being organised to protest against alleged electoral irregularities and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.The mobilisation comes amid the Opposition’s allegations of ‘vote chori’ and large-scale voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
‘Chalo Dilli’ march to precede rally
The programme will begin with a march, called ‘Chalo Dilli’, from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction to Ramlila Maidan at noon. The rally at the venue is scheduled to continue from 10am to 5pm.INDIA bloc leaders are expected to travel in open buses from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence to the march’s starting point.The protest is expected to bring together leaders and supporters of opposition parties, along with student groups and civil society organisations.The INDIA bloc has appealed to students, youth, women and workers to participate. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), founded by Abhijeet Dipke, and several student organisations have also extended support to the mobilisation.
4,000 cops, 200 CCTV cameras for security
While INDIA bloc leaders have projected a turnout of up to 10 lakh, Delhi Police expects around 50,000 people. Officials estimate that the ground can accommodate 45,000 to 50,000 people when empty, news agency PTI reported. With chairs, enclosures and passageways in place, its capacity is expected to fall to around 30,000 to 40,000. Additional space will be kept outside to manage any spillover.More than 4,000 police personnel, along with Central Armed Police Forces companies, will be deployed along the march route and at the venue. Ramlila Maidan has been divided into 14 security zones, each supervised by an assistant commissioner of police-rank officer.More than 200 CCTV cameras, drones and body-worn cameras will be used for surveillance. A control room has also been set up inside the ground to monitor the arrangements.
Traffic curbs across key Delhi roads
Traffic restrictions will remain in force across parts of Delhi between 10am and 5pm. Diversions are planned at major intersections, including ITO, Delhi Gate, Rajghat, Ajmeri Gate and Turkman Gate. Commuters have been advised to avoid Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Minto Road and Desh Bandhu Gupta Road.Special arrangements will be made to ensure that ambulances and emergency vehicles can reach LNJP and GB Pant hospitals. Passengers travelling to New Delhi Railway Station have also been advised to plan their journeys in advance.Delhi Police has said permission has been granted for the rally at Ramlila Maidan, but it has not received an application for the proposed procession from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction.
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Rally follows symbolic ‘public impeachment’ of CEC
The rally follows a symbolic ‘public impeachment’ of Kumar organised by the INDIA bloc at Kharge’s residence on Saturday. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided over the proceedings, while Kharge moved a resolution listing the opposition’s allegations against the CEC. Rahul Gandhi delivered the concluding remarks before the resolution was adopted.Leaders of opposition parties, civil society representatives and people affected by the SIR exercise participated in the proceedings, which were modelled on parliamentary debates.The resolution accused Kumar of facilitating alleged electoral manipulation, large-scale deletion of voters and undermining the Election Commission’s independence, and called for his removal.
