Patra accuses Rahul of sidelining Priyanka at INDIA bloc rally

Opposition leaders rally at Ramlila Maidan against Election Commission

The event was organized to protest against alleged electoral irregularities and voter list revisions.

Rahul Gandhi led the 'Chalo Dilli' march from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction to the Ramlila Maidan. Other opposition leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, Tejashwi Yadav, and Akhilesh Yadav, were present at the rally.

BJP leaders criticize timing and intent of INDIA bloc protests

Union Minister Amit Shah criticized the Congress for holding a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, 2026, which coincided with the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Shah stated the rally would only rub salt in the wounds of riot victims, noting the Congress had been advised against holding the event on that date.

He further suggested that Rahul Gandhi might be unaware of the historical significance of the dates because he was young at the time and does not read history.

Nadda alleged that Rahul Gandhi's political model consists of four phases: spreading lies, inciting street disorder, damaging the national economy, and attempting to destabilize the government using foreign influence.

Rahul Gandhi and opposition leaders allege electoral irregularities

He claimed Narendra Modi and Amit Shah secured their positions as prime minister and home minister with the help of Gyanesh Kumar.

They alleged the poll panel operates under the influence of the Modi government.

Rahul Gandhi characterized these alleged irregularities as a "rarest of rare case" and "treason," calling for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner. Nationwide protests calling for the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar have occurred since October 2, 2026, regarding voter roll revisions and the functioning of the Election Commission.

Rahul Gandhi also accused the BJP of forcibly shutting down shops in the Connaught Place area. He alleged this prevented the INDIA bloc from encouraging rally attendees to shop there and support local business owners.

BJP claims Congress is suppressing Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

He stated that her "vote has also been stolen" within the Gandhi family.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari questioned whether a "Rahul camp" and a "Priyanka camp" have emerged within the Congress party. He accused the Leader of the Opposition of suppressing the rise of his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Sambit Patra noted that while other participants, including non-parliamentarians, were given the opportunity to speak, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was not.

Pradeep Bhandari alleged that Rahul Gandhi is focusing on pushing Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into the background rather than focusing on the people or the Congress party. Sambit Patra claimed that 40% of the Ramlila Maidan was vacant during the rally, noting that between 5,000 and 7,000 chairs were empty out of 28,000.

Rival political marches held across Delhi and Haryana

Rival marches took place on Sunday, 1 November 2026, as the BJP and the INDIA bloc held separate demonstrations in Delhi. The Opposition protest focused on alleged electoral roll irregularities, while the BJP march commemorated victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The BJP protest march in West Delhi moved from the Hari Nagar area to the Tilak Nagar metro station to remember those killed in the riots. In Rohtak, Haryana, BJP national president Nitin Nabin led a march titled 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' to counter the narrative presented by the Opposition.

Differing perspectives on INDIA bloc unity and leadership

During her address, Mamata Banerjee referred to Sonia Gandhi as "leader" and Rahul Gandhi as "young leader". Farooq Abdullah asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is part of India and criticized the BJP and RSS for questioning the patriotism of Muslims.

Akhilesh Yadav described the Ramlila Maidan as the "Haldighati of democracy" and claimed that 1.27 lakh Hindu votes had been deleted in Uttar Pradesh. He further alleged that voter names were deleted in the state, including during the 2022 Assembly elections.

Mamata Banerjee alleged that electoral irregularities led to her party's defeat in West Bengal, claiming the state was a victim of the "special intensive revision" of electoral rolls. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav called the rally a "'Mahabharata' for those who steal votes" and compared the political situation to the "game Shakuni played".

Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (United) questioned the unity of the INDIA bloc, arguing that the alliance lacks a common agenda and leadership consensus.

JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad stated that the Congress must respect the mandate given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third consecutive term. The party also noted that various members of the alliance contest against each other.

Prime Minister Modi labels opposition as 'Avrodh Paksh'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Opposition, labeling it an "Avrodh Paksh". He further stated that the threat of "Dimagi Naxals" remains very high.