Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday, 1 November 2026, headlined the INDIA bloc's 'Dilli Chalo' rally at Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and vowing that the poll panel chief would face trial and imprisonment for what he called 'vote chori' (vote theft). The rally marked one of the most direct attacks yet by the Opposition on the Election Commission's leadership.

Key Allegations Against the CEC

Speaking to thousands of supporters, Rahul Gandhi accused CEC Gyanesh Kumar of orchestrating vote theft through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the alleged removal of 13.5 crore names from electoral rolls. Gandhi described the alleged theft as falling in the 'rarest of rare' category in legal terms — a phrase typically reserved for the most severe criminal offences under Indian jurisprudence.

'What Gyanesh Kumar has done for PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah amounts to treason and theft of the voice of every citizen,' Gandhi said, framing the accusation as a constitutional violation rather than a procedural lapse.

Targets Extended to Modi and Shah

Gandhi did not confine his attack to the Election Commission. He declared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah would also face consequences for what he characterised as an assault on the Constitution and democracy. Making pointed insinuations about alleged rigging in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and several subsequent Assembly polls, he warned: 'We will not let them go anywhere till they face the consequences of their acts.'

He added that the three — CEC Gyanesh Kumar, PM Modi, and Home Minister Shah — were experiencing 'sleepless nights' over what he called their collective sin of 'vote chori' and the consequences they would face.

Message From Ramlila Maidan

Gandhi cast the large turnout at Ramlila Maidan as a collective show of strength from India's youth, farmers, and workers. 'The people who have gathered here are sending the message that no matter who you are or how powerful and wealthy you are, you are not bigger than the Constitution. The Constitution is supreme,' he said.

He also accused the Union government and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of controlling national institutions and government agencies — a charge the ruling dispensation has consistently denied.

Revival of 'Mohabbat ki Dukan'

In a notable shift of register, Gandhi closed his address on a conciliatory note, reviving his signature phrase 'Mohabbat ki Dukan' (Shop of Love), assuring the crowd that it was 'about to reopen soon.' He reiterated that he harbours no personal enemies and believes in brotherhood and non-violence — signalling an attempt to balance combative political messaging with a broader inclusive appeal.

What Comes Next

The INDIA bloc's demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar's removal puts fresh pressure on the Election Commission ahead of upcoming state elections. The Opposition is expected to escalate its campaign through Parliament when it reconvenes, and legal options — including petitions before the Supreme Court — have not been ruled out by bloc leaders. How the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responds to the 'vote chori' charge and whether the Election Commission issues a rebuttal will be closely watched in the coming days.