Rahul Gandhi Aims To Turn Nov 1 'Save Vote, Save Country' Rally Into Public Movement, But Timing Poses Two Challenges

Congress has planned to take the fight against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gynesh Kumar and the special intensive revision (SIR) further, as Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi has made a call for 'Save the Vote - Save the Country Jan March', a mega rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1.

This time, Gandhi has sought to take the fight beyond the political realm, making it a huge public movement with the participation of students, farmers, labourers, women, youth, and traders. The party has urged 'anyone who cares about democracy must come.'

Congress has begun preparations for what is likely its largest public gathering in years, as it expects nearly a million people to turn out for the protest. The Ramlila Maidan rally will mark the culmination of the 'Delhi Chalo' march against the alleged irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls.

However, questions have been raised around the timing of the protest rally with pushback from both political adversaries and the stakeholders who are urged to participate in the rally.

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BJP raises 1984 riot anniversary issue  

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini have strongly criticised Congress for choosing November 1, the anniversary of the 1984 riots following the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi.

Prasad on Saturday equated the protest call with 'rubbing the salt onto the wounds' of riots. He asked, "Why is Rahul Gandhi so adamant about holding his rally in Delhi on November 1? This issue is being raised very seriously by our party. November 1 is a day that holds deep emotional significance for the Sikh community, as they remember the 1984 massacre with profound sorrow."

"So, by creating a storm at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, what kind of salt does Rahul Gandhi want to rub into their wounds?" he asked.

Is Rahul's Nov 1 plan making INDIA bloc allies uncomfortable?

He also alleged that Gandhi's call has made certain INDIA bloc allies uncomfortable. "We have also learnt that several allies were unhappy with the November 1 date and had suggested that the rally be postponed to a later date. This reflects Rahul Gandhi's true face. When he insists on something, he refuses to listen to anyone. If he is determined to have his way, he will go ahead, even if it means cruelly mocking the sentiments of the Sikh community," the BJP leader said.

Haryana's Saini also questioned the need for such a protest on the day when Delhi faced pain in 1984.

"Our concern for the victims of 1984 is not a matter of politics, but of compassion and duty. Standing with the victims is not a favour; it is our moral responsibility," Saini said.

Traders seek postponement

While the political onslaught continues, traders and associations have called upon the Congress leader to postpone the protests until after November 10 (Bhai Dooj) as it could hamper the festive sales.

Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) chairman Brijesh Goyal said that a massive rally during peak Dhanteras and Diwali shopping season would lead to traffic diversions, road closures, and heavy barricading would put wholesale and retail markets, such as Chandni Chowk, Chawdi Bazar, Moi Gate, Daaryaganj, Sadar Bazar, etc., at a disadvantage.

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The CTI letter to Gandhi raised the risk for markets to lose Rs 25,000 crore in business. "This year, Dhanteras falls on Friday, November 6, Diwali on November 8 and Bhai Dooj on November 10. People begin shopping for Dhanteras and Diwali a week in advance. In Delhi alone, Dhanteras-related business across sectors such as gold and silver, utensils, electronics, textiles, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, vehicles, property and gift items amounts to approximately Rs 25,000 crore. This trade is the backbone of Delhi’s economy," the letter reads.

The CTI stated that the traders had already suffered losses to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore due to rallies, marches, protests and other restrictions.