According to NDTV's sources, around 60 IYC office-bearers from Madhya Pradesh, at least 13 from Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh and approximately 10 from Haryana have already been suspended.

The organisation has also initiated disciplinary proceedings in other states and issued notices seeking explanations from those who failed to attend.

The suspensions follow an internal review of attendance at the rally, where the Youth Congress had been instructed to ensure the participation of all its national, state and district-level office-bearers.

Digital attendance tracking raises questions

The IYC had introduced a digital attendance system to monitor participation. Barcode scanners were installed at the gathering point on Minto Road, where office-bearers and accompanying workers were asked to register through the organisation's official app, 'With IYC'.

According to the organisation, nearly 15,000 Youth Congress workers assembled at Minto Road to join Rahul Gandhi's march towards Ramlila Maidan. However, only 2,831 registrations were recorded on the app.

An internal assessment reportedly found that several workers failed to register because of limited technical awareness or lack of interest. Slow internet connectivity along the route from Minto Road to Ramlila Maidan also contributed to registration difficulties.

Despite these challenges, the subsequent review identified a significant number of office-bearers who were allegedly absent without providing any explanation, prompting the leadership to initiate disciplinary action.

IYC chief says action taken to ensure accountability

IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib defended the disciplinary measures, maintaining that the rally was successful despite the attendance-related controversy.

"Our rally was extremely successful. More than 15,000 Youth Congress workers gathered. Most workers from across the country took part in the rally and march. But despite clear instructions, some office-bearers did not show discipline. So action has been taken to ensure accountability within the organisation," Chib told NDTV.

He added that those considered irresponsible had been removed from their positions to make way for more active workers.

Expressing confidence in the organisation's future mobilisation capacity, Chib said the Youth Congress could bring 50,000 people to Delhi at its next rally.

Congress war room reviews attendance

The disciplinary action may not remain limited to the Youth Congress. Sources said the Congress war room has also started examining the participation of office-bearers and workers from the main party organisation.

Particular attention is being paid to district presidents appointed under the party's organisational restructuring initiative, the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan.

The Congress leadership is reportedly seeking feedback on their performance, and district presidents who skipped the rally without a valid reason could also face action.

Ahead of the November 1 gathering, Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal had claimed that 10 lakh people would participate. However, party sources indicated that the turnout was below 10 per cent of the projected figure, prompting an internal review.

The Congress leadership has continued to describe the rally as a success, pointing to the large gathering at Ramlila Maidan.

INDIA bloc leaders target BJP over 'vote theft'

The rally was organised to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Several prominent INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, addressed the gathering.

Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of manipulating electoral processes and alleged that votes were being stolen through electronic voting machines and changes to voter lists.

He also predicted that Gyanesh Kumar would be removed from his position and face imprisonment.

Kharge accused the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh of benefiting from alleged electoral manipulation.

Mamata Banerjee, meanwhile, alleged that people in West Bengal had been affected by the SIR exercise and vowed to continue the political fight.

BJP questions Congress's turnout claims

The BJP dismissed the Congress's claims of a massive turnout, arguing that significant portions of Ramlila Maidan remained vacant.

BJP MP Sambit Patra said around 40 per cent of the ground was empty, questioning the Congress's earlier projection of 10 lakh attendees.

He also claimed that between 5,000 and 7,000 of the 28,000 chairs arranged for the gathering remained unoccupied.

In a post on X following the rally, Rahul Gandhi maintained that the gathering reflected growing public support for the INDIA bloc, writing that the groundswell would ensure democracy and truth prevailed.