BJP slams Rahul Gandhi, Opposition over Nov 1 Ramlila Maidan SIR rally
Synopsis
As the Congress-led Opposition gears up for a mass rally at Ramlila Maidan on 1 November demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, BJP leaders have gone on the offensive — accusing Rahul Gandhi of insulting constitutional institutions and calling the SIR protest campaign a deliberate exercise in public misinformation.
Key Takeaways
BJP leader Ram Kadam on 30 October accused Rahul Gandhi of undermining constitutional institutions including the judiciary and the Election Commission of India .
The Congress-led Opposition is holding a rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on 1 November to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged SIR irregularities.
Chhattisgarh Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb alleged that the Congress and CJP were trying to spread confusion and destabilise the country's peaceful atmosphere.
BJP Telangana president Ramchander Rao cited remarks attributed to Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi to argue that deleted voter names were genuine, calling the Congress campaign 'misinformation'.
Security personnel have begun positioning around the 12-acre Ramlila Maidan , with baggage-screening devices and metal detectors installed ahead of the rally.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Friday, 30 October sharply criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Opposition parties over their campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing them of misleading citizens and undermining constitutional institutions for political gain. The remarks came as preparations intensified for a large Congress-led rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on 1 November, where the Opposition plans to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR process.
BJP's Core Accusations
BJP leader Ram Kadam alleged that Rahul Gandhi's recent conduct was damaging the reputation of constitutional institutions, including the judiciary and the Election Commission of India (ECI). 'Rahul Gandhi's conduct, character and recent actions are an insult to constitutional institutions and damage their reputation. On one hand, they claim to respect the Constitution, while on the other, they put political pressure on constitutional institutions such as the judiciary and the Election Commission,' Kadam said.
Kadam further challenged the Opposition to present concrete evidence rather than stage protests. 'If you have any concerns, evidence or suggestions, come forward and present them. The deadline for submitting claims regarding voter list revisions has also been extended, and those whose names are missing can raise their concerns. They have no evidence or suggestions and are only trying to mislead people. You cannot win politics by misleading people,' he said.
Chhattisgarh Minister's Remarks
Chhattisgarh Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb also attacked the Congress and the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) over their Delhi mobilisation, accusing them of attempting to destabilise India's social harmony. 'The way the CJP and Congress party are trying to instigate, spread confusion, and spread lies to the citizens of the entire country... it seems they are trying to make India into Bangladesh. But the citizens of India will not let it become Bangladesh, because all of us, our belief is in democracy, our belief is in our Constitution, which was made by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar,' he said.
Telangana BJP Cites Karnataka Minister's Remarks
BJP Telangana State president Ramchander Rao targeted Congress over its voter-deletion allegations, citing remarks attributed to Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi. According to Rao, Jarkiholi had indicated that the deleted names were genuine deletions. 'The false campaign over SIR continues despite Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi stating that there has been no deletion of votes and that the deleted votes were genuine. Congress must explain why it is spreading this misinformation,' Rao said. He added that citizens whose names had been removed from the rolls could seek reinstatement by submitting an application along with proof of residence and any of the 12 identity documents recognised by the ECI.
Security Build-up at Ramlila Maidan
Ahead of the 1 November rally, police personnel have begun positioning themselves around the 12-acre Ramlila Maidan complex. Baggage-screening devices and metal detectors have been installed as security arrangements are tightened. The Opposition's rally is framed as a show of strength against what the Congress alleges are systemic irregularities in the SIR exercise — a charge the BJP and ECI have disputed. Notably, this confrontation over electoral rolls follows a pattern of opposition-versus-commission standoffs that have intensified ahead of state elections. All eyes will now be on the 1 November turnout at Ramlila Maidan, which will serve as a political barometer of the Opposition's organisational strength on this issue.
Point of View
Telangana, and Delhi all firing on the same day — signals that the party views the SIR controversy as a battleground it can win on optics even if the underlying data dispute remains unresolved. Citing a Congress-governed state's own minister to rebut the Congress is a tactically sharp move, but it sidesteps the substantive question of whether the SIR methodology was sound. The Opposition, for its part, is betting that a large Ramlila Maidan turnout will frame the ECI as politically compromised in public perception — a narrative that could prove durable if the rally draws significant crowds. The real accountability gap lies in the absence of an independent audit of the SIR deletions, which neither side has formally demanded.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a periodic exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to update electoral rolls — adding new eligible voters and removing names that are ineligible or duplicate. The current SIR has drawn Opposition criticism over alleged large-scale irregular deletions of voter names.
Why are Opposition parties rallying at Ramlila Maidan on 1 November?
The Congress-led Opposition is holding a rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on 1 November to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over what it alleges are irregularities in the SIR process. The parties claim the revision has led to unjustified removal of legitimate voter names.
What has the BJP said in response to the Opposition's SIR campaign?
BJP leaders have accused Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition of misleading the public and undermining constitutional institutions for political purposes. They point to remarks attributed to Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi — from a Congress-governed state — as evidence that the deleted names were genuine, and have urged anyone with concerns to submit evidence to the ECI.
Can voters whose names were deleted from the rolls get them restored?
Yes. According to BJP Telangana president Ramchander Rao, citizens whose names have been removed can apply for reinstatement by submitting proof of residence and any of the 12 identity documents recognised by the Election Commission of India. The deadline for submitting revision-related claims has also reportedly been extended.
Who is Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar?
Gyanesh Kumar is India's Chief Election Commissioner and the head of the Election Commission of India, the constitutional body responsible for overseeing elections. The Opposition has called for his resignation over what it alleges are irregularities in the ongoing SIR exercise, a charge the BJP and ECI have disputed.
