INDIA Bloc Mega Rally Live Updates: Top leaders from the INDIA bloc are gathering for “Loktantra Bachao (Save Democracy)” rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan.INDIA Bloc Mega Rally in Delhi Today Highlights: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra speaking at “Loktantra Bachao (Save Democracy)” in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan said, “The election commission should ensure that 5 demands of the INDIA bloc are met ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.”
The five demands of the INDIA bloc:
📌 EC should ensure equal opportunity to all parties
📌 EC should stop the strongarm tactics of the ED, CBI and Income Tax Department, which are indicative of foul play
📌 Heman Soren and Arvind Kejriwal should be released from custody immediately
📌 Actions to financially strangulate opposition parties before Lok Sabha should be stopped
📌 An SIT under the supervision of the Supreme Court should be formed to look into money laundering and extortion by the BJP in the form of Electoral Bonds
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “match-fixing” the Lok Sabha elections. “This election — Narendra Modi chose the umpires — this 400 seat slogan of his is not possible without fixing EVMs, pressuring the media and social media,” he said. The INDIA bloc has gathered to address the public after the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, in a rally that is being touted as a show of strength by the Opposition ahead of Lok Sabha elections.
Earlier, the Delhi Chief Minister’s wife Sunita Kejriwal said, “Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi put my husband in jail, did he do the right thing? These BJP people are saying that Kejriwal ji is in jail, he should resign. Should he resign? Your Kejriwal is a lion, they will not be able to keep him in jail for long.” She also conveyed the Kejriwal’s six guarantees for the nation, including 24 hour electricity, free electricity for the poor, setting up good government schools and mohalla clinics, among others.
Who is attending the rally? It is being attended by Rahul and other senior Congress leaders such as Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal, Soren’s wife Kalpana Soren, and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, among others.
The Congress on Saturday emphasised that the objective of the “Loktantra Bachao Rally (Save Democracy Rally)” was about saving the Constitution and democracy and not any one leader. (PTI Photo)
'Vote to save democracy': Akhilesh, Champai Soren at INDIA bloc rally
Accusing the ruling BJP of using central agencies to attack opposition leaders, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday urged people to vote against the party in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls if they wanted to save democracy in the country.
Addressing the INDIA bloc's 'Save Democracy' rally at the Ramlila Maidan here, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister questioned why the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is using agencies against the opposition if it is confident of crossing the 400-seat mark in the upcoming polls.
"If you are so confident of crossing 400 (Lok Sabha seats in polls), why are you scared of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders? You sent Arvind Kejriwal to jail... Hemant Soren was sent to jail..." Yadav said. "The nation knows they have used ED, CBI to extort donations. To suppress this, false cases are being imposed on opposition leaders," he said.
"Defeat them, send them back. The country will be saved only by your vote. Your vote will save democracy, your vote will save the Constitution, it will save reservation, it will enable work that needs to be done to save the PDA (‘pichde', Dalit, ‘alpsankhyak' or backward classes, Dalits, minorities)," he said.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, who took the post after Hemant Soren's resignation ahead of his arrest, said BJP's autocracy and its ideology will not be allowed to flourish. He said Hemant Soren was arrested even as there was no evidence against him. "He worked for the Dalits, Adivasis, and backward classes. That made the BJP restless," the Jharkhand CM said.
He said the joint opposition rally will send out the message that they are together. "We are one... we will not allow the ideology and autocracy of BJP to flourish in this country," he said. "We are together to save democracy," he added. (PTI)
'He attacked Arvind Kejriwal, so he will suffer', says AAP leader Sandeep Pathak
AAP leader Sandeep Pathak said, “People who came here today believed that what PM Modi did was not right. PM Modi might have been attacking others, but this time he has attacked Arvind Kejriwal, so he will have to suffer.”
BJP-led central government jailed everyone: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann speaking at “Loktantra Bachao (Save Democracy)” in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan said, "They (BJP-led central government) jail everyone, they have jailed those who made schools and hospitals, they have freezed Congress' bank accounts... What do they think themselves? They have jailed Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren. Are you the owner of this house? No, the owner of this house are the 140 crore people of this country."
Power doesn’t remain forever: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at INDIA rally
"I have been coming here since I was a child…this is where Ravan dahan happens...When Lord Ram fought for what was right, he didn’t have resources...But he had the dheeraj, sahas, satya."
"I want to tell those sitting in power, I want to remind PM Modi the message of Lord Ram: power does not last forever, power comes and goes; ego is shattered one day. This was the message of Lord Ram and his life."
'I appeal to you to unite so we can walk together', says Mallikarjun Kharge at INDIA rally
"This is not for just Hemant, Kejriwal, or any one person but for 140 crore people...We might have differences, we might fight against each other in different states, but here we have come together for a larger cause…"
"We will fight and teach the BJP that people have had enough…don’t believe in any undercurrent; they say 400 paar, it will not even be 400..."
RSS is like poison: Mallikarjun Kharge at INDIA rally
"We are committed to saving the constitution…we want sabka vikas; Modi wants vikas only for a few of his friends."
"Hemant’s only fault was that he wanted to go with the Congress, the INDIA alliance...That is why Modi ji got a case registered against him, and put him behind bars."
"Modi is digging up the entire field and asking us to play cricket there…it is not a level playing field at all."
Modi doesn’t want democracy; he only believes in the ideology of tyranny: Cong leader Mallikarjun Kharge at INDIA rally
"This is a dais of unity in diversity. There is only one objective: uniting the opposition"
"Because to save this country, for its unity to survive they have to come together...They are destroying our institutions…through the misuse of ED, CBI, CVC they are threatening leaders."
"If the BJP had written the constitution of the country they would have ensured no voting rights for women because that’s how they think..."
Rahul Gandhi at INDIA rally: If BJP wins and changes Constitution, entire country will be on fire
"If you did not vote with all your heart, their match-fixing will succeed. The day it succeeds, our Constitution will be finished. The day that happens, India’s heart will be dealt a huge blow."
"Election Commissioners were out in place by Narendra Modi, two CMs were jailed, our accounts were sealed — why couldn’t this be done six months later and just before the elections?"
"If they (BJP) change the Constitution, the entire country will be on fire. This election is not about votes. It's about saving the Constitution."
Rahul Gandhi at INDIA rally: 'BJP wants to run country without Constitution'
"This match-fixing (by BJP) is being done to snatch the Constitution of the country from the hands of its people."
"The day the constitution is gone, India will not be able to survive... This is their target… They think that without the Constitution, the country can be run through police, threats, coercion."
"But there is no power in the world which can suppress the voice of the people of India."
Rahul Gandhi speaks at INDIA rally: Narendra Modi trying to do match-fixing in these elections
"Have you heard of match-fixing? When by pressuring the umpire, buying the player, scaring the captain, the match is won. This election — Narendra Modi chose the umpires — this 400 seat slogan of his is not possible without fixing EVMs, pressuring the media and social media."
"Our bank accounts have been frozen. We don’t have resources... Leaders are threatened, government are toppled…this is an attempt at match-fixing. This match-fixing is being done by Narendra Modi and a few businessmen."
Akhilesh Yadav addresses INDIA rally: 'It will not be 400 paar but 400 pe haar'
"Today, we want to tell those who rule Delhi that they will not remain there for longer."
"You sent CM Hemant Soren, CM Arvind Kejriwal to jail… not only the people of India but the people of the world are looking down upon India for that."
"The people of the BJP are responsible for this…it will not be 400 'paar' but '400 pe haar'."
"The BJP will be uprooted not just from Delhi, but even the country."
Sitaram Yechury addresses rally: 'We have to defeat communal forces if we want to save India'
"Today, the corruption we see, the loot, the unemployment— if we want to rid the country of these, we have to rid it of this government. We have to defeat communal faces if we want to save this country. Judega Bharat to Jeetega Bharat," says Sitaram Yechury.
Farooq Abdullah addresses rally: 'We have a common motive... to save the constituition'
"Today we have a common purpose: to save the constitution. Even the CJI is being threatened," says Farooq Abdullah.
Derek O Brien addresses rally: 'We want the truth of Pulwama attack to come out'
Speaking about the Pulwama attack, he says, "We want the truth to come out. We want a white paper."
Derek O Brien addresses rally: 'This is a fight between BJP vs Indian democracy'
'We have two empty chairs on the stage: Mr Kejriwal and Mr Soren you are with us in spirit,' says Derek O Brien.
He adds, 'This is a fight between BJP and India democracy. Modi guarantee is zero warranty: zero warranty when it comes to employment, inflation, protecting the people’s institutions.'
'They say 400 paar, seems like EVMs have been set', Tejashwi Yadav targets BJP
Tejashwi Yadav hit out at the BJP and said, "They say 400 paar, seems like EVMs have been set". He added, "Modi ji’s guarantee are like Chinese maal: it becomes defunct soon. Don’t believe their lies."
Tejashwi Yadav addresses rally: 'Biggest enemy of the country is unemployment and inflation'
"There is an undeclared emergency in the country…these people have become arrogant. The biggest enemy of the country is unemployment and inflation. Modiji will meet Priyanka Chopra but not farmers. He will meet Bill Gates but not the farmers," says Tejashwi Yadav.
Tejashwi Yadav addresses rally: 'We have come here to save democracy'
"The way Modiji came like an aandhi, he will be uprooted like a toofan. We have come here today to save democracy and the constitution. Politics of hatred is being done Those who say '400 paar' can say what they want to, but it is the people who decide," says Tejashwi Yadav.
Kalpana Soren addresses rally: 'People are bigger than any party or leader'
"The people of the country are bigger than any political party or leader…strengthen the INDIA alliance by voting for us to save democracy," says Kalpana Soren in Ramlila Maidan.
Kalpana Soren addresses rally: 'Sea of people proves that there is Oppn to tyrannical powers'
Kalpana Soren addressed the rally after Sunit Kejriwal and said, 'This sea of people today proves that there is opposition to the tyrannical powers have decided to destroy the country."
She said, "our strength is the 140 crore people of this country.. today, the NDA govt is destroying the guarantees of Baba Ambedkar’s constitution."
From electricity and schools to statehood for Delhi: Sunita Kejriwal reads out Arvind Kejriwal's 6 guarantees
Sunita Kejriwal read out Delhi CM's message from ED custody, and announced his six guarantees. The guarantees included 24 hour electricity, free electricity for the poor, setting up good government schools and mohalla clinics, as well as setting up multi-speciality hospitals. His guarantees also included MSP for the farmers.
We will get Delhi the status of statehood, something that has been long time coming, she said.
Sunita Kejriwal read the CM's message further and said, "I apologise to my INDIA alliance partners for making this announcement on the behalf of my partners that I was not able to consult them about these guarantees since I am in jail and could not consult them."
Kejriwal is a 'sher', they won't be able to keep in jail for long, says Sunita Kejriwal
Speaking at “Loktantra Bachao (Save Democracy)” rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, Sunita Kejriwal said, “PM Modi put my husband in jail… did he do the right thing?”. She added that the Delhi CM is a ‘sher’ and they won’t be able to keep him in jail for long. The INDIA bloc has gathered to address the public after the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a rally that is being touted as a show of strength by the Opposition and also a test of whether they can speak in a single voice and band together over a cause.
Most corrupt government in the history of India: Mehbooba Mufti
Mehbooba Mufti delivered a speech at the protest and said, "They have extorted through the ED and income tax…this is the most corrupt government in the history of India. Elections are rigged by throwing the opposition in jail. Kejriwal and Soren are in jail because they want to save democracy."
'In times of emergency, we should come together and fight against BJP': NCR resident
CV Sharma, a resident of Vikaspuri Dwarka says, "Today, all Congress and AAP and other parties have gathered. The parties have political differences but when in such times these differences do not matter. We believe that in such times of emergency, we should come together and fight against the BJP. This time we need each other to fight the BJP. "
'BJP govt want to make Delhiites suffer': Congress worker
Satyadev Mishra, a Congress worker says, "We are getting free electricity today, free water but they (BJP government) are planning to bring President's rule and snatch all the subsidies. They want to make the people of Delhiites suffer. "
INDIA Bloc Mega Rally Live Updates: Oppn bigwigs gather on the dais in Ramlila Maidan
Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rahul Gandhi, and Sunita Kejriwal all on the dais at the mega rally in Ramlila Maidan.
Rahul Gandhi, Sunita Kejriwal, Sharad Pawar reach Ramlila Maidan
Several top Opposition leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, Sunita Kejriwal and Sharad Pawar have reached Ramlila Maida to attend the rally.
Faces from the rally | 'Today the fight is against dictatorship': Ex Railways officer
Raj Kumar Solanki, a 70-year-old ex railway officer says, "I am a Congress supporter but today we are all Indians part of the INDIA bloc... whatever today is happening is not right. A sitting CM has been arrested, what is next? My son actively works for the Delhi Congress and we see how many people are facing problems. There is no employment, there is inflation. Today, the fight is not against the arrest of Kejriwal but for our country and against dictatorship."
(Photo by Gayathri Mani)
Faces from the rally | 'Kejriwal in long list of people who are arrested without evidence': Oral historian
"Not only Kejriwals arrest but anybody getting arrested without evidence is an attack on democracy…Kejriwal is among the long list of people who have been arrested without any evidence, they’re using the constitutional laws and agencies to target the opposition, this is probably the second instance where a sitting CM has been arrested after Hemant Soren, there is so much evidence pilling up on big businessmen through these electoral bonds but no action is being taken because these are their people," says an oral historian from Delhi, Sohail Hashmi.
INDIA Bloc Mega Rally Live Updates: Arvind Kejriwal poster removed from above INDIA banner after protest
After a protest from NSUI members, who were raising Rahul Gandhi zindabad slogans, poster depicting Kejriwal behind bars has been removed from above the INDIA banner.
INDIA Bloc Mega Rally Live Updates: Mehbooba Mufti, CPM's Brinda Karat each Ramlila Maidan
J&K People's Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti and CPM’s Brinda Karat have reached Ramlila Maidan.
Faces from the rally | 'Lord Ram not happy with Delhi CM's arrest': Former BJP worker
Jawahar lal, a former BJP worker who fought elections from Rewari in assembly polls, says, "I saw lord Ram in my dream last night and he told me to go here and give the people a message that, INDIA bloc is going to win 500 seats this time. They have to stay together... Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is a great man and he was arrested. Lord Ram is not happy with this, lord Sita is also not happy. "
He says he was associated with the BJP and his family was an ardent supporter of the saffron party, but now they all have left the party to support the INDIA bloc.
(Photo by Gayathri Mani)
BJP has become 'Bhrasht Janata Party': Uddhav Thackeray ahead of INDIA's mega rally
Former Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray hit out at BJP for their remarks against the rally and said, 'They do not understand the meaning of family. You have to take responsibility for your family. Now, they have no other agenda. Ever since the issue of electoral bonds came to light, people have gotten to know the true face of the BJP, i.e., 'Bhrasht Janata Party'. This party is of corrupt people... All the corrupt people are joining the BJP now.'
Video | People begin gathering in Ramlila Maidan, Oppn leaders expected to arrive
"It is 10 am and people have already gathered in huge numbers. People from all over the country have come against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal. The people of Delhi are aware that Arvind Kejriwal has changed their lives... He is under arrest, still, he is worried about Delhi and is sending messages for them," AAP's Atishi said.
As Oppn gathers for their rally in Ramlila Maidan, what is Delhi's weather like today?
The national capital on Sunday recorded a minimum temperature of 21.3 degrees Celsius, three notches above the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The department has predicted a mainly clear sky during the day, with the maximum temperature likely to settle around 36 degrees Celsius.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital was recorded in the "poor” category with a reading of 245, according to the Central Pollution Control Board at 9 am. (PTI)
In Photos | AAP leaders, people gather in Ramlila Maidan for Opposition's Maharally
(Photos by Jatin Anand)
'Huge examples of women empowerment in INDIA bloc': JMM leader Mahua Maji
Rajya Sabha MP and JMM leader Mahua Maji said, "She (Kalpana Soren) is also here. She is a very strong woman... And here Sunita Kejriwal is also taking over. There are huge examples of women empowerment in the INDIA Alliance."
BJP on Opposition rally: Not 'Loktantra bachao' but 'Parivar bachao'
On INDIA bloc rally today, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said, "It is not 'Loktantra Bachao' rally but in reality, it is 'Parivar Bachao, bhrashtachar chhupao' rally."
He added, "Those who criticised the construction of the Ram Temple (in Ayodhya) and made objectionable remarks on Hindu Gods and Goddesses have gathered here at Ramlila Maidan today to hide their corruption."
All Oppn parties being targeted by the BJP: Atishi
AAP leader Atishi, present at the venue of the rally on Sunday, said, "The entire country is angered by the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and that is why they are gathering here today. All opposition parties, from the Congress to the Left, are being targeted by the BJP government whose intent is clear — either join them or face action."
Neerja Chowdhury Column | Kejriwal’s arrest: Has BJP over-reached or is it a decisive strike?
The Arvind Kejriwal arrest is different from the arrests of other Opposition leaders that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made of late. Its timing, coming less than a month before the general elections raises several issues.
The Narendra Modi government may hope to ride out whatever storm the ED’s custody of the Delhi Chief Minister in the excise policy scam may generate, with the AAP workers hitting the streets in protest. From the first murmurings from the ground, people, including even those who don’t particularly like Kejriwal or his politics, see it as “zyadati” (excessive). “Thora zyada hee ho raha hai, (It’s a little too much),” they say, with a tone of worry.
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In Photos | Preparations underway at Ramlila Maidan
(Express photos by Amit Mehra)
Sunita Kejriwal to read Delhi CM’s message to nation from ED custody at Ramlila Maidan rally
Arvind Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal will deliver the CM’s message to the nation from Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody.
What are the traffic restrictions in Delhi today?
In light of the rally, Delhi Police has regulated traffic on some routes.
Security strengthened around Delhi: Police prepares for rally at Ramlila Maidan
The Delhi Police has made elaborate arrangements with checking at every gate and deployment of paramilitary personnel in and around the Ramlila Maidan for INDIA block's 'Maharally' organised by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on March 31, officials said on Saturday.
The Delhi Police has allowed the rally to take place with certain conditions, including no march, no tractor trollies, and no weapons in central Delhi, they said.
Although the rally is allowed, Section 144 will remain imposed at the DDU Marg, where the offices of political parties are located, an officer said. No march will be allowed from the Ramlila Maidan, he said, adding that strict action will be taken if any violations take place.
"We have made elaborate security arrangements so that the general public doesn't face any inconvenience due to the rally," a senior police officer said.
The traffic police will also remain deployed to regulate the traffic and parkings near the ground, he said. Sources said about a dozen companies of paramilitary personnel will be deployed around the Ramlila Maidan and other parts of central Delhi, including DDU Marg.
The administration has allowed 20,000 people to come for the rally, but police expects it to exceed 30,000. AAP sources claimed the gathering may reach up to one lakh, which is the full capacity of Ramlila Maidan.
The officer said seven gates have been prepared for entry and exit at the Ramlila Maidan. "Among these seven, one is for VIPs and another for the media," officer said. Every visitor will be checked with door frame metal detectors and hand-held machines at the entry gates, he said. The Delhi Police has also installed CCTV cameras and set up a control room centre from where they could watch the activities at the Ramlila Maidan. Police said the organisers have made the sitting arrangements for visitors. -- PTI
Who is attending today's rally?
It will be attended by Rahul and other senior Congress leaders such as Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal, Soren’s wife Kalpana Soren, and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, among others.
Kejriwal, Hemant Soren in custody, Oppn leaders to gather for ‘Loktantra Bachao’ rally at Ramlila Maidan
The INDIA bloc is all set to gather for “Loktantra Bachao (Save Democracy)” rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, the first such platform where the Opposition will come together to address the public after the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The rally is being touted as a show of strength by the Opposition and also a test of whether they can speak in a single voice and band together over a cause.