UPDATED: Oct 12, 2026 14:17 IST
High drama unfolded in central Delhi as Congress and INDIA bloc workers staged massive demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar. Protesters gathered in large numbers at Himachal Bhavan in Mandi House alongside Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, raising slogans such as 'Vote chor, gaddi chhod' and attempting to march towards the Supreme Court. Simultaneously, INDIA bloc leaders assembled outside the Constitution Club at Rafi Marg as part of their 'Delhi Chalo' call. Heavy security, including paramilitary personnel, was deployed across Lutyens Delhi, with the Delhi Police enforcing Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to restrict public gatherings. During the demonstration, one protester declared, 'Loktantra jakal kiya hai hathkadiyon mein', alleging deliberate attempts to weaken public voting rights. Amid escalating tensions and traffic disruptions around Mandi House, reports emerged that the Ministry of Home Affairs had denotified Jantar Mantar as a protest site, designating Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and Shahdara Ground as alternate demonstration venues.
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INDIA Bloc Delhi Chalo Protest, CEC Resignation Demand, Security Surge
Tensions escalated across New Delhi as INDIA bloc leaders and Congress workers launched a 'Delhi Chalo' march demanding action and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Leaders gathered at the Constitution Club at Rafi Marg while thousands of party workers and supporters, including Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, assembled near Himachal Bhavan and Mandi House to march towards the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, declined a prior meeting request from Rahul Gandhi, noting that multiple petitions concerning the issue are already before the apex court. Delhi Police invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, restricting gatherings and deploying heavy paramilitary forces including the CRPF and ITBP. Traffic ground to a halt around Mandi House Circle as demonstrators sat on roads. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue, assigning Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and Shahdara for future demonstrations.
INDIA Bloc Leaders Rally in Delhi, Himachal Bhavan Sees Massive Protest
Opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc gathered in the national capital following new notifications restricting protests at Jantar Mantar. Key leaders, including Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Mahua Moitra, and Abhishek Banerjee, arrived at the Constitution Club to voice their demands. Meanwhile, heavy demonstrations were witnessed outside Himachal Bhavan, where thousands of party workers gathered, climbed barricades, and attempted to march towards the Supreme Court while raising slogans against the central government and the Chief Election Commissioner. A heavy police deployment was put in place to manage the massive crowds as flash protests spread across parts of New Delhi.
INDIA Bloc Leaders March To Supreme Court Amid Protests, BJP Targets Congress
Opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc gathered at the Constitution Club in New Delhi as part of their 'Chalo Delhi' mobilisation, planning a march towards the Supreme Court of India to submit a petition. Congress MP Rajiv Shukla stated that a delegation led by Rahul Gandhi would formally approach the apex court following instructions from the Chief Justice of India. Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury accused the government of employing brute force and violating constitutional norms, while Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha asserted that the movement represents the citizens of India. Simultaneously, Bharatiya Janata Party workers staged a protest outside the Congress headquarters, demanding the resignation of a Congress parliamentarian.
Delhi Police De-Notifies Jantar Mantar As Protest Site, Designates 3 Alternate Venues
Delhi Police has officially de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue, leaving no officially permitted dharna site within the New Delhi district and the Lutyens zone. The decision arrived after leaders sought permission to stage a sit-in at Jantar Mantar, with authorities citing law and order considerations. The administration has instead designated three alternative venues for demonstrations: Ramlila Maidan in Central Delhi, Burari in Outer Delhi, and the CBD ground in East Delhi. Meanwhile, political tensions escalated in the capital as BJP women MPs staged demonstrations outside the Congress headquarters demanding accountability over women's safety issues. Concurrently, INDIA bloc leaders gathered at the Constitution Club of India to organise a march towards the Supreme Court of India to submit a petition to the Chief Justice of India, amid heavy police and security force deployment across central Delhi.