Live: Opposition to beseige Ramlila Maidan in fight against Gyanesh Kumar, cops on high alert

INDIA bloc's rallyINDIA bloc Ramlila Maidan rally Live Updates: Welcome to our live coverage of the INDIA bloc’s mega rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, where opposition leaders, party workers, student groups and civil society representatives are set to gather in a show of strength against alleged electoral irregularities. The protest will focus on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The rally will begin with a march from Minto Road to Ramlila Maidan, followed by addresses by senior leaders. With organisers expecting a huge turnout and Delhi Police deploying over 4,000 personnel, the protest is also set to bring traffic across parts of the capital to a halt. The India Today Desk brings you live updates, political reactions and key developments from the ground....Read MorePreparations underway for INDIA bloc mega-rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi. (Photo: Reuters)Nov 1, 2026 09:59 ISTAnti-CEC Protest Live: Who all are leading the protest?Leaders from 21 parties of the opposition INDIA bloc are expected to participate in the Chalo Dilli march and mega rally at Ramlila Maidan. Key opposition figures involved in organizing and leading the mobilization include: • Rahul Gandhi (Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Congress) • Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress President) • Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Congress MP) • K.C. Venugopal (Congress leader) • Dharmendra Yadav (Samajwadi Party leader) • Derek O'Brien (Trinamool Congress MP) Nov 1, 2026 09:55 ISTINDIA Bloc Rally in Delhi: Traffic to get disrupted, metro services remain normalAnshul Singh of India Today reports, "I am at the epicentre of where the action will start and crowds are starting to gather very fast. The police have also arrived in large numbers to ensure that the law and order situation in the area does not get hampered." He also mentioned that there are no restrictions on the Metro services unlike the protests in October. "Due to the massive crowd, the traffic might get affected at least until evening and people are advised to plan their routes accordingly," said Anshul. Nov 1, 2026 09:47 ISTINDIA Bloc Ramlila Maidan Rally: Crowd gathers in front of Ramlila MaidanCrowds are swarming up gradually at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi as the rally is nearing its beginning. Nov 1, 2026 09:45 ISTAnti-CEC Protest Live: DK Shivakumar backs the rally, calls it importantKarnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar backed the INDIA bloc rally in Bengaluru, saying protecting voters' rights was the responsibility of every citizen. He claimed lakhs of voters had been deleted and said the opposition would fight against such moves, stressing that the right to vote was essential to the right to live. "I wish the march would go ahead and be a great success. It is our bound duty to protect every voter. You know how they created an issue in Karnataka. They wanted to delete lakhs and lakhs of voters. We will fight for it," he said. #WATCH | Bengaluru: On the INDIA bloc rally today, Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar says, "It is the duty of this country’s voters. Right to vote is right to live. Lakhs and lakhs of people have been deleted. A democratic country, a democratic party, which is there to protect the rights of the voters. I wish the march would go ahead and be a great success. It is our bound duty to protect every voter. You know how they created an issue in Karnataka. They wanted to delete lakhs and lakhs of voters. We will fight for it.” — ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2026 Nov 1, 2026 09:41 ISTINDIA Bloc Rally in Delhi: BJP Delhi calls the event a 'fair of fraudsters'Amid INDIA bloc's preparation for their rally, the BJP's Delhi unit took a swipe at them, branding the event a "fair of fraudsters". It accused the organisers of spreading rumours and creating unrest to protect their political ground. "Objective - To spread rumors and anarchy in the country at the behest of anti-national forces in order to save their political ground," their tweet read. आज दिल्ली के रामलीला मैदान में फिर से लगने वाला है - “ठगों का मेला” मक़सद - अपनी राजनीतिक ज़मीन बचाने के लिए देश विरोधी ताकतों के इशारे पर देश में अफवाह व अराजकता फैलाना https://t.co/wi4IBfTTc9 — BJP Delhi (@BJP4Delhi) November 1, 2026 Nov 1, 2026 09:25 ISTINDIA Bloc Ramlila Maidan Rally: Over 200 CCTV cameras keep venue under watchDelhi Police have deployed 200 to 250 CCTV cameras across Ramlila Maidan to monitor security arrangements for the INDIA bloc rally, DCP Central Rohit Rajbir said. He added that the police are coordinating with the organisers, who have set up their own control room, to ensure security at the venue. The organisers have created multiple enclosures, with police personnel deployed inside them and along the pathways connecting them. Volunteers from the Seva Dal, Civil Defence Committee and local residents' associations are also assisting the police with security and crowd management on surrounding roads, Rajbir said. He said participants began arriving at the venue as early as 5.30 am, with police facilitating their entry while ensuring that local residents face no inconvenience. Arrangements have also been made at the venue, while a separate traffic and security plan is in place for the march scheduled to take place in a few hours. Nov 1, 2026 09:15 ISTAnti-CEC Protest Live: Rahul Gandhi makes shopping appeal after Delhi traders flag possible loss due to rallyThe Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) had urged Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi to seek postponement of Sunday's rally until after Diwali, warning that traffic restrictions could hit business worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore across nearly 20 major Delhi markets. Responding to traders' concerns, Rahul Gandhi urged people attending the protest to also shop at local stores during the festive season. "Tomorrow, along with protesting, marching and attending the rally, do a little shopping too. It will help our local traders," he wrote on X, referring to Diwali, Chhath and Bhai Dooj. He also dismissed concerns over business disruption, accusing the BJP of spreading rumours out of fear of the rally. Nov 1, 2026 08:37 ISTINDIA Bloc Mega Rally Live: Over 4,000 police personnel deployedDelhi Police has drawn up extensive security arrangements, with more than 4,000 police personnel and companies of the Central Armed Police Forces set to be deployed along the march route and at Ramlila Maidan. The venue has been divided into 14 security zones, each supervised by an assistant commissioner-rank officer. More than 200 CCTV cameras, drones and body-worn cameras will monitor the gathering, while a control room has been set up inside the ground. #WATCH | Delhi: Visuals from the Ramlila Maidan ahead of the INDIA bloc's mega rally today. https://t.co/sVFMn3cPnc — ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2026 Nov 1, 2026 08:32 ISTINDIA Bloc Ramlila Maidan Rally Live: Traffic curbs across key Delhi routesTraffic restrictions will remain in force across parts of Delhi between 10 am and 5 pm on Sunday. Diversions are planned around ITO, Delhi Gate, Rajghat, Ajmeri Gate and Turkman Gate as security arrangements are put in place for the march and rally. In view of the proposed rally at Ramleela Ground on 1st November 2026, traffic movement may be regulated and diversions implemented in parts of Central Delhi from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Commuters are advised to plan their journeys in advance, follow prescribed diversions and cooperate with traffic personnel. Passengers travelling to New Delhi Railway Station are requested to follow the suggested alternative routes. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS * Motorists are requested to avoid affected routes, use public transport, preferably the Metro, and follow traffic instructions. * Avoid roadside parking and keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. * For real-time updates and assistance, connect with Delhi Traffic Police through the following channels: FACEBOOK: https://t.co/XMFa7Ld8gD PLATFORM X: https://t.co/hro9F9Bmge INSTAGRAM: https://t.co/aL9StmHNJn WHATSAPP: 8750871493 HELPLINE NOS.: 1095 / 011-25844444 Delhi Traffic Police appreciates your cooperation in ensuring safe and smooth traffic movement. #DTPUpdates @LtGovDelhi @CPDelhi @CMODelhi @timesofindia @the_hindu @IndianExpress @AmarUjalaNews @NavbharatTimes @Live_Hindustan @TimesNow @IndiaToday @republic @aajtak @ZeeNews @ndtvindia @news24tvchannel @ABPNews @AAI_Official @RedFMIndia @bigfmindia — Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) October 31, 2026 Nov 1, 2026 07:57 ISTINDIA Bloc Protest Today: Security beefed up at Ramlila Maidan Security deployed outside Ramlila Maidan ahead of the INDIA bloc's mega rally. #WATCH | Delhi: Security deployed outside Ramlila Maidan ahead of the INDIA bloc's mega rally. https://t.co/Lg52NVXHHu — ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2026 Nov 1, 2026 07:55 ISTINDIA Bloc Rally: Visuals from Kharge's residence Visuals from outside Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in Delhi. Nov 1, 2026 07:38 ISTINDIA Bloc Rally Live: Preparations underway at Ramlila MaidanVisuals from Ramlila Maidan show preparations gathering pace ahead of the INDIA bloc rally, with posters, banners and cutouts being installed across the venue. VIDEO | Delhi: Preparations underway at Ramlila Maidan for the INDIA bloc rally, with posters, banners and cutouts being put up (visuals at 5 am). (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) https://t.co/XRsAqPVWp4 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 1, 2026 Nov 1, 2026 07:35 ISTINDIA Bloc Protest Today: Organisers expect 10 lakh people to join mega rally While organisers have indicated that the rally could draw up to 10 lakh people, Delhi Police estimates a turnout of around 50,000. Officials said Ramlila Maidan can accommodate 45,000-50,000 people when empty, but its effective capacity could fall to 30,000-40,000 after accounting for chairs, enclosures and passageways. Additional space will be kept available to manage any crowd spillover. #WATCH | Delhi: Preparations are underway at the Ramlila Maidan for the INDIA bloc's mega rally today. https://t.co/RzPKMRLbCr — ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2026 Nov 1, 2026 07:29 ISTINDIA Bloc Rally: CJP, student groups extend support to protestThe rally has also received backing from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led outfit founded by Abhijeet Dipke, along with student organisations. The INDIA bloc has appealed to students, young people, women, workers and civil society representatives to join the demonstration. READ MORE: Abhijeet Dipke meets Mamata Banerjee, says CJP won't join INDIA bloc rally Nov 1, 2026 07:21 ISTINDIA Bloc Rally Live: March from Minto Road to Ramlila MaidanThe mobilisation, being held under the banner of 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao', will begin with a march from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction to Ramlila Maidan at noon. A rally will follow at the venue, with proceedings scheduled between 10 am and 5 pm. Senior INDIA bloc leaders are expected to travel in open buses from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence to the march's starting point. Nov 1, 2026 07:20 ISTINDIA Bloc Ramlila Maidan Rally Live: INDIA bloc gears up for major show of strength in DelhiThe INDIA bloc is preparing for a major show of strength at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, November 1. Opposition leaders, party workers, student groups and civil society representatives are expected to gather to protest alleged electoral irregularities, oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. #WATCH | Delhi: Visuals from the Ramlila Maidan ahead of the INDIA bloc's mega rally today. https://t.co/B70nu2RCQV — ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2026