The INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Delhi' march will culminate at Ramlila Maidan, where Opposition leaders will demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Meanwhile, the BJP will organise a separate march in west Delhi to commemorate victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, accusing the Congress of choosing the anniversary of the violence to stage its political demonstration.
With thousands expected to participate in the two events, security has been significantly tightened across Delhi, with nearly 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed.
Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee among leaders expected at INDIA bloc March
The INDIA bloc MPs will assemble at Constitution Club at 11 am, with the march scheduled to begin at noon from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction and conclude at Ramlila Maidan.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav are among the prominent leaders expected to participate.
Posters announcing the 'Chalo Delhi' march have appeared around Ramlila Maidan. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) and other groups have also called on people to join the demonstration.
वोट बचाओ - देश बचाओ ✊ दिल्ली का रामलीला मैदान तैयार है, जहां से हिंदुस्तान 'वोट चोरी' के खिलाफ हुंकार भरेगा। यकीन मानिए, देश की ये हुंकार मोदी-ज्ञानेश को चैन से बैठने नहीं देगी। हम वोट चोरों को सत्ता से उतारकर ही दम लेंगे। वोट चोर, गद्दी छोड़ 📍 रामलीला मैदान, दिल्ली
— Congress (@INCIndia) November 1, 2026
The rally follows an Opposition meeting on Saturday, during which Kharge moved a symbolic resolution outlining six allegations against the CEC.
The resolution accused Kumar of attempting to influence elections, overseeing the deletion of 13.2 crore voters, changing Form 6 without parliamentary oversight and taking control of electoral rolls through the ECINET platform.
It also alleged that the two other Election Commissioners were excluded from key decisions, referring to a report published by The Indian Express.
The BJP has dismissed the Opposition's campaign as "melodrama".
Why is the opposition demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation?
The Opposition has accused the Election Commission of manipulating electoral rolls through the SIR exercise, alleging that large numbers of eligible voters have been removed from voter lists.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, who announced the November 1 demonstration last month, described the campaign as 'Chalo Dilli, Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao'.
Venugopal alleged that 13 crore names had been deleted from electoral rolls and claimed that electoral irregularities were taking place across several states.
He also praised Rahul Gandhi for "fearlessly raising questions" and holding those in power accountable.
BJP's counter-March over 1984 anti-Sikh riots
The BJP will hold its own demonstration in west Delhi, focusing on the victims and survivors of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The march will begin at 11.30 am from Hari Nagar bus depot and proceed towards Tilak Nagar Metro station.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, advocate HS Phoolka, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa and party MP Bansuri Swaraj are expected to participate.
Before the march, BJP MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney will address the media alongside riot survivors at Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib. Families of those killed in the 1984 violence are also expected to join the demonstration.
The BJP has accused the Congress of choosing the anniversary of the anti-Sikh violence to organise its Opposition rally.
10,000 police personnel deployed, traffic restrictions announced
Delhi Police have deployed nearly 10,000 personnel, including members of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF), across central and New Delhi.
More than 4,000 personnel have been assigned to security around Ramlila Maidan, the Minto Bridge-to-Ramlila Maidan route and adjoining areas.
Multi-layered barricades have been installed around Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Bhagwan Das Road and areas surrounding the Supreme Court and Election Commission of India office.
Police have also installed around 200-250 CCTV cameras to monitor the situation. Senior police officer Rohit Rajbir said authorities were coordinating with the rally organisers through a joint control room to ensure security.
Traffic restrictions and diversions will remain in place in parts of central Delhi between 10 am and 5 pm. Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly.
Gatherings have also been prohibited at Jantar Mantar and outside the Election Commission's office as part of the security arrangements.
Delhi traders fear business losses ahead of Diwali
The INDIA bloc's rally has also triggered concerns among traders in Delhi, who fear that road closures and traffic congestion could disrupt festive shopping ahead of Diwali.
The Automotive Parts Merchant Association (APMA) has reportedly objected to the timing and location of the demonstration, arguing that major commercial areas could be affected.
Association president Vinay Narang said traders supported the democratic right to protest but were concerned about the potential disruption, according to NDTV.
He pointed out that Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Daryaganj, Mori Gate and Kashmere Gate were all located within three kilometres of the rally venue.
Narang claimed that outstation traders often avoided visiting Delhi for nearly three days before and after major political rallies because of traffic disruptions.
APMA vice-president Ravinder Singh Kohli said daily-wage workers, including porters, coolies and cart-pullers, would suffer the most, as they depend on daily earnings of around Rs 200-300.
Association general secretary Dharampal Ratra estimated that traders could suffer losses exceeding Rs 2,000.
Rahul Gandhi responds to traders' concerns
Responding to the objections, Rahul Gandhi dismissed concerns that the rally would hurt businesses and urged participants to combine their protest with some festive shopping.
"Protest, march, hold rallies, and along with that, do a little shopping too. It will benefit the traders," Gandhi said.
He further claimed that the BJP was spreading rumours because it was scared of the Opposition's demonstration.
नमस्कार, कल लाखों लोग रामलीला मार्च के लिए दिल्ली आ रहे हैं। त्यौहारों का मौसम है। दिवाली, छठ, भाईदूज का समय है। मैं चाहता हूं जो लाखों लोग बाहर से दिल्ली आ रहे हैं, वो यहां के व्यापारियों की मदद करें। प्रोटेस्ट, मार्च, रैली कीजिए, साथ में थोड़ी सी खरीदारी भी कीजिए - व्यापारियों का फायदा हो जाएगा। मैं जानता हूं व्यापारियों को रैली नुकसान नहीं पहुंचाएगी। BJP डरी हुई है इसलिए अफवाह फैला रही है। मगर, दोनों काम करते हैं। कल मार्च होगा, रैली होगी और लाखों लोग हमारे व्यापारियों की छोटी-छोटी दुकानों में से सामान खरीदेंगे। आप सबको बहुत-बहुत प्यार। शुभ दिवाली। जय हिंद। Tomorrow, lakhs of people are coming to Delhi for the Ramlila March. It is the festive season. Diwali, Chhath and Bhai Dooj are here. I want the lakhs of people coming to Delhi from different parts of the country to support the local traders here. Tomorrow, along with protesting, marching and attending the rally, do a little shopping too. It will help our local traders. I know that our rally will not hurt the traders. The BJP is spreading rumours because it is scared. But let’s do both. Tomorrow, there will be a march, there will be a rally, and lakhs of people will also buy things from the small shops of our local traders. Much love to all of you. Happy Diwali. Jai Hind.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 31, 2026
Cockroach Janta Party stays away from INDIA bloc rally
Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has decided not to participate in the INDIA bloc's demonstration.
The party's founder, Abhijeet Dipke, met Mamata Banerjee in Delhi on Saturday and thanked her for supporting the outfit's youth-led protests.
Met TMC chief @MamataOfficial and thanked her for her support to the CJP especially during the illegal arrests of @AshutoshRanka and @SauravDassss Also extended our solidarity for tomorrow’s protest of INDIA bloc against election rigging. Gyanu must go! https://t.co/M4Xpi7hps5
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 31, 2026
Dipke recalled Banerjee's support during the group's earlier Jantar Mantar demonstration and when activists Saurav and Ashutosh were arrested by Delhi Police.
However, he clarified that the CJP would maintain its independent identity and would not join Sunday's Opposition protest.
With rival political demonstrations, heightened security and traffic restrictions, Delhi is bracing for a politically charged day as the INDIA bloc and BJP prepare to take their respective battles to the streets.