- Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
- Coincides with Delhi's non-BS VI vehicle ban.
- Vehicle restrictions expected to significantly impact participant mobilization.
Congress' mega rally at Ramilla Maidan is set to be held on November 1, the same day when restrictions under the Delhi government's 'Winter Action Plan' will kick in. Congress has called for massive participation in the rally, with party general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal claiming that 10 lakh people from across India will attend the 'Save Vote, Save Country' and 'Dilli Chalo' mega rally on October 31 and November 1, respectively.
However, the authorities are anticipating participation of around 60,000 to 70,000 people.
Under the Delhi government's winter action plan, stricter pollution control rules will come into effect in the capital from November 1. Entry of non-BS VI category vehicles will be banned until February 28, 2027.
The Delhi Transport Department and Traffic Police have deployed 39 enforcement teams at borders and toll plazas and checkpoints will be in place since the stroke of the midnight.
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Therefore, buses and other vehicles will have to be parked at the border states. According to Delhi Police officials, most of the buses and four-wheelers bringing workers from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh are likely to be BS 3 or 4 compliant. Therefore, these vehicles will not be given any relaxation.
Some transporters have questioned the BS restrictions, saying that most of the workers, who come from within 250-300 kilometres of Delhi, will arrive by buses, tempos, and private vehicles. How will they reach Ramlila Maidan after the restrictions are imposed? A senior Delhi Police official said that the Delhi Police is holding continuous meetings with the police of neighbouring states.
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The mega rally call has been made by the Congress in continuation of its protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Congress has put forward three demands: resignation of Kumar, scrapping the SIR and return to ballot paper for voting in the assembly and parliamentary elections.
(With Inputs from Rakesh Kumar Singh)