All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha Bora has extended support to the Opposition INDIA bloc's November 1 protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan. Her announcement comes days after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) also backed the proposed demonstration.
In a video message shared on social media on Friday, October 30, Bora urged citizens to join the protest, calling for the protection of voting rights and democratic values.
Bora said the movement demanding Kumar's resignation, a complete halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the withdrawal of the 2023 law granting legal protection to the CEC would culminate in a gathering at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
She appealed to people to participate in the demonstration to protect their voting rights and uphold the sanctity of democracy.
CJP also extends support to INDIA bloc rally
AISA's endorsement comes two days after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by Abhijeet Dipke, announced its support for the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally.
In a post on X on October 28, CJP backed the Opposition's 'Chalo Dilli' march and called for CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, arguing that the Election Commission must retain public confidence to ensure free and fair elections.
The INDIA bloc has been mobilising political parties, student organisations and civil society groups for the demonstration against alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision exercise.
Rahul Gandhi urges citizens and student groups to join protest
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has also appealed to citizens and student organisations, irrespective of their political affiliations, to participate in the November 1 demonstration.
During an Instagram interaction, Gandhi described the march as an effort to defend democracy, oppose alleged vote theft and protect the Constitution. He also urged people not to be deterred by the possibility of police action.
According to the announced schedule, the march will begin at noon from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction before proceeding towards Ramlila Maidan.
INDIA bloc postpones public impeachment of CEC
Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc has rescheduled its planned 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar due to persistent rainfall in the national capital.
The event, initially scheduled for October 30, will now take place on October 31 at 2.30 pm. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh announced the revised schedule, adding that the November 1 'Chalo Dilli' march would follow.
The Opposition has been demanding accountability from the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the exercise could lead to the deletion of eligible voters and undermine electoral fairness.
The Election Commission's actions and the Opposition's allegations have triggered a political confrontation, with the November 1 gathering expected to bring together INDIA bloc leaders, student groups, activists and civil society representatives.
