The BJP on Sunday criticised the INDIA bloc over its rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, questioning the Congress’s claim that 10 lakh people would attend the gathering and alleging that the Opposition had exaggerated the turnout.
Addressing a press conference, BJP MP Sambit Patra described the rally as a disappointing show, claiming that large sections of the venue remained vacant despite the Congress’s ambitious attendance projections.
Patra said the BJP had been monitoring the event since morning and watching Rahul Gandhi’s address. Referring to visuals from the venue, he questioned the Congress’s claim of a massive gathering.
“Where were the 10 lakh people? Show us,” Patra said, accusing the Congress of using misleading photography to portray a larger crowd.
BJP QUESTIONS CONGRESS’S CROWD ESTIMATE
Referring to statements by Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Pawan Khera, Patra said the party had projected an attendance of more than 10 lakh people.
He claimed that Ramlila Maidan covered approximately 10 to 12 acres, with the stage and the designated area in front of it occupying around 15 per cent of the space. According to him, nearly 40 per cent of the remaining area was vacant.
Patra also pointed to empty chairs at the venue, claiming that between 5,000 and 7,000 of the 28,000 chairs remained unoccupied.
“Despite bringing together so many parties and flags, they could not manage to gather 10 lakh people,” he said.
Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Patra said becoming Prime Minister required hard work and dedication, using the Hindi words ‘paseena’ and ‘mehnat’ to underline his criticism.
RAHUL GANDHI WARNS MODI AND SHAH OVER ALLEGED VOTE THEFT
The BJP’s criticism came after Rahul Gandhi used the rally to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.
Gandhi warned that Gyanesh Kumar could face removal from office and legal proceedings over allegations of electoral manipulation. He also said Modi and Shah would face legal action and should not assume they would escape accountability.
“After Gyanesh Kumar, we will stand against you. Don’t forget that for the vote chori you have done, there will be legal action against you and Narendra Modi,” Gandhi said.
Responding to Shah’s reported remarks about Modi continuing in office, Gandhi asserted that the Prime Minister could not avoid accountability.
The Congress leader also accused the RSS of exercising influence over constitutional institutions and alleged that economic opportunities and national wealth were increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few.
CONGRESS REPEATS ELECTORAL IRREGULARITY ALLEGATIONS
During his address, Gandhi alleged that electoral manipulation had taken place in several states, including West Bengal, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, besides the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
He claimed that 13.5 crore voters, representing approximately 15 per cent of the electorate, had been removed from electoral rolls after the 2024 general election.
Gandhi also questioned the electoral process, citing the relatively narrow vote-share difference between the NDA and the Opposition.
He accused the government of weakening constitutional institutions and reiterated that the Constitution remained supreme.
Describing the gathering as a collective expression of public concern, Gandhi said the Opposition would continue its campaign to protect democracy and constitutional values without resorting to violence or hatred.
CONGRESS LEADERS DEFEND RALLY
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal defended the gathering, describing it as a significant demonstration of public opposition to the BJP leadership.
“Today, the people of India have given a clear message to Narendra Modi and Amit Shah that their time is over,” Venugopal said.
He accused the government of undermining democratic institutions and alleged that the rally reflected growing public anger over electoral irregularities.
Pointing to the gathering, Venugopal described it as a strong response to the ruling establishment.
The BJP’s criticism of the rally’s attendance and the Congress leadership’s defence of the gathering have added another dimension to the political confrontation over allegations of electoral manipulation and the functioning of democratic institutions.