'Fair of Thugs': BJP poster jab ahead of massive India bloc rally

New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) Ahead of the INDIA bloc's rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, the BJP's Delhi unit released a controversial poster titled 'Thago Ka Mela' (Fair of Thugs), targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several other opposition leaders.Ahead of the INDIA bloc's rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, the BJP released a poster titled "Thago Ka Mela' (Fair of Thugs)", targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several other opposition leaders.Designed in the style of a film poster, the graphic, released by BJP Delhi, features Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, among other INDIA bloc leaders.The poster accuses the opposition leaders of spreading rumours and creating anarchy in the country at the behest of anti-national forces to protect their political interests. Taking a swipe at the leaders, it carries the lines: "Directed by Rahul Gandhi and produced by Akhilesh Yadav."Sharing the poster on X, the BJP's Delhi unit wrote: "Today, at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, it's going to be held again - 'The Fair of Thugs'. Objective - To spread rumors and anarchy in the country at the behest of anti-national forces in order to save their political ground."INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila MaidanThe poster comes as opposition parties gather at Ramlila Maidan for the INDIA bloc's 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' rally, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.Protesters from several states, including Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, reached Delhi to participate in the demonstration. They raised slogans such as "Vote chor, gaddi chhod" and voiced concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), reported ANI.Some protesters from Punjab alleged that police barricades along the Punjab-Haryana border delayed their journey to Delhi, with several vehicles stranded overnight. They accused the BJP of trying to prevent people from attending the rally. These allegations have not been independently established.Protesters also demanded a return to ballot paper voting. Panna Lal Sharma, who travelled from Rajasthan, said he had joined the demonstration to oppose alleged electoral irregularities and demand the use of ballot papers.Uttarakhand Congress secretary Madanpal Singh said the protesters would continue their agitation until the Chief Election Commissioner resigned.The rally mobilisation havre also drawn participants from Himachal Pradesh, some of whom raised concerns over issues such as examination paper leaks, youth-related problems and alleged curbs on democratic rights.According to the rally schedule, INDIA bloc MPs were to assemble at the Constitution Club at 11 am before proceeding towards Ramlila Maidan from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction at noon.