BJP Calls Rahul Gandhi's Delhi Chalo a 'Direct Attack on Democracy' Ahead of Sunday March

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday described Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's proposed 'Delhi Chalo' march, scheduled for Sunday at Ramlila Maidan, as a "direct attack on democracy" and an attempt to create unrest across the country.

Addressing a press conference in Yadgir, Karnataka, BJP national vice-president and Rajya Sabha MP M. Nagaraju alleged that Mr. Gandhi was trying to destabilise a democratically elected government at the Centre by "spreading false narratives" about the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and by seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The SIR is an intensive exercise in which the Election Commission verifies and updates voter rolls in designated areas. Political parties have differed sharply over the process, with the Opposition raising concerns about its conduct and the ruling party defending it as a routine, transparent administrative measure. Mr. Nagaraju did not present documentary evidence at the briefing to support his allegation that the Congress was misrepresenting the exercise.

Prof. Nagaraju also targeted activists he linked to a foreign-based organisation, accusing them of "conspiring against the nation" by misleading young people about the voter-list revision. He did not name the organisation in the remarks as reported, and no evidence was presented for the claim. He further alleged that the Congress was backing such groups to gain political advantage in Assembly elections in four States scheduled for 2027.

Continuing his criticism, the Rajya Sabha member said Mr. Gandhi travels abroad to associate with "anti-India and left-wing factions" and returns to "provoke unrest" at home. He also said the Congress habitually blames Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and electoral revision processes after electoral defeats, and cited the party's performance in recent Council elections as evidence of declining public support.

By contrast, he pointed to Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi's statement that the SIR exercise in Karnataka had been completed smoothly and effectively, and advised Mr. Gandhi to seek information from his own party's Minister about the legitimacy and transparency of the procedure.

Taking aim at Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan over recent remarks on "regime change", Prof. Nagaraju said governments in a democracy are changed through the people's mandate at the ballot box, not through street agitation.

Outlining the party's counter-strategy, he announced a two-phase nationwide campaign: the first phase will run until November 5, and the second will resume on November 11 and continue through the end of the month. As part of the drive, the party plans interactive sessions with students to explain what it called the political motives behind Mr. Gandhi's campaign.

He also questioned Mr. Gandhi's silence on alleged irregularities in recruitment by the Karnataka Public Service Commission while the Congress leader has criticised the NEET examination. Attacking the State government, he said the D.K. Shivakumar-led administration had "failed on all fronts" and was unable to fund its promised guarantee schemes, pointing to the Chief Minister's reported inability to resolve the grievances of sugarcane farmers. Prof. Nagaraju said the BJP, which currently governs 21 States, remains focused on returning to power in Karnataka.

Separately, former Minister and BJP leader B. Sriramulu, also speaking in Yadgir, defended the ECI's conduct of the SIR and accused the Congress of attempting to destabilise an elected government for political gain.

The Congress has maintained that its march is a peaceful exercise of democratic rights aimed at highlighting its concerns over the electoral roll revision, and that raising objections to the conduct of constitutional authorities is legitimate in a democracy. Friday's BJP briefing did not include a response from the Congress to the specific allegations made against it.