Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 2: A political outfit, the Lal Hit Janta Party, organised a march from Rajghat to Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, with around 200 participants chanting the slogan, “Modi ji kahin nahi ja rahe bro!”, in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The march, led by party founder and convener Ayan Bhatnagar, coincided with the INDIA bloc's ‘Chalo Dilli’ protest at Ramlila Maidan against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
According to a statement issued by the party, participants carried banners, posters and placards expressing support for Modi and the government's development agenda.
The outfit said the march was organised to promote its message of “Rashtra Pratham” (Nation First) and reaffirm its commitment to the Constitution and democratic values. It also highlighted its opposition to the Congress, alleging that the political narrative surrounding the Prime Minister and the country's development needed to be challenged.
Meanwhile, leaders of the INDIA bloc gathered at Ramlila Maidan and demanded the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.
Addressing the gathering, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi declared that Kumar would be removed from the post and face legal consequences.
“Gyanesh Kumar will be removed from the post of Chief Election Commissioner. Gyanesh Kumar will go to jail,” Gandhi said.
He also criticised the government over unemployment, farmers' concerns and the concentration of wealth, alleging that the country's resources had gone into the hands of a few individuals.
“The farmer is not getting his rights. The youth are not getting employment. The labourer is not getting his rights, and the entire wealth has gone into the hands of two or three people. We do not want such an India, and we will not accept such an India,” he said.
The BJP hit back at the Opposition over its claims about the expected turnout at the rally. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged that around 40 per cent of Ramlila Maidan remained vacant despite the Congress claiming that 10 lakh people would attend.
Patra said that of the 28,000 chairs arranged at the venue, around 5,000 to 7,000 were unoccupied between 3.30 pm and 4 pm. He questioned the Opposition's attendance claims and cited visuals from the venue to support his criticism.
The parallel demonstrations brought supporters of the ruling BJP and the Opposition together at the same venue, highlighting the political contest surrounding the INDIA bloc's protest against the Election Commission.