New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday urged people across India to join the INDIA bloc’s 'Save Votes–Save the Nation' march and mega rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on November 1, accusing the Narendra Modi government of protecting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of electoral irregularities.
In a post on X, Kharge said the government was resorting to every possible measure to shield Kumar despite what he described as “countless revelations of vote theft”. He also reiterated the opposition alliance’s demands for changes to the electoral process.
वोट चोरी के अनगिनत ख़ुलासों के बाद भी मोदी सरकार ज्ञानेश कुमार को बचाने के लिए सारे हथकंडे अपना रही है ! SIR में इस्तेमाल software की जानकारी RTI में माँगी गई, तो चुनाव आयोग ने 'Trade Secrets' का हवाला देकर जवाब देने से ही इनकार कर दिया।उत्तर प्रदेश में 16.18 लाख Form-6 आवेदनों का विवरण सार्वजनिक नहीं किया गया। पीलीभीत में 10,470 मतदाता रिकॉर्ड में अनियमितताएँ पकड़ी गईं। अब पूरे प्रदेश में Form 6, 7 और 8 की जाँच के आदेश देने को मजबूर होना पड़ा है। BJP और चुनाव आयोग की मिलीभगत के ख़िलाफ़ INDIA गठबंधन की 3 प्रमुख माँगें स्पष्ट हैं -:1. CEC ज्ञानेश कुमार इस्तीफ़ा दें और उन्हें संरक्षण देने वाला 2023 का कानून निरस्त हो।2. SIR तत्काल रोका जाए। ग़ैरकानूनी ढंग से हटाए गए मतदाताओं के नाम बहाल हों।3. सभी चुनाव पेपर बैलेट से कराए जाएँ।यह केवल वोट बचाने की लड़ाई नहीं, संविधान और लोकतंत्र बचाने का जनसंघर्ष है।मैं देश के हर जागरूक नागरिक से अपील करता हूँ - 1 नवंबर को दिल्ली चलिए! रामलीला मैदान में 'वोट बचाओ–देश बचाओ' जन मार्च और महारैली से जुड़िए।जय हिंद! जय संविधान!#ChaloDilli #RamlilaMarch
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) October 26, 2026
“Even after countless revelations of vote theft, the Modi government is resorting to every possible trick to protect Gyanesh Kumar!” Kharge said.
The Congress chief cited responses to Right to Information (RTI) applications and alleged irregularities involving voter records. He said the Election Commission of India (ECI) had refused to provide information about the software used in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, citing “Trade Secrets”.
Kharge also claimed that details of 16.18 lakh Form-6 applications in Uttar Pradesh had not been made public. In Pilibhit, he said, irregularities were detected in the records of 10,470 voters, prompting an investigation into Forms 6, 7 and 8 across the state.
The Congress had also accused the Election Commission on Sunday of withholding information about its ECINET software. The party claimed that the poll body’s repeated refusals to provide the information would conceal what it described as “massive, centralised manipulation” during the SIR process.
Kharge outlined three key demands of the INDIA bloc over what he alleged was collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission.
The alliance has demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the repeal of the 2023 law that it says provides him legal protection. It has also called for an immediate halt to the SIR process and the restoration of voter names allegedly removed from electoral rolls.
The third demand is that all future elections be conducted using paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs).
“The three key demands of the INDIA alliance against the collusion between BJP and the Election Commission are clear: CEC Gyanesh Kumar must resign, and the 2023 law providing him protection must be repealed. SIR must be immediately halted. The names of voters illegally removed must be restored. All elections must be conducted using paper ballots,” Kharge said.
Describing the November 1 demonstration as a broader campaign to defend constitutional and democratic rights, Kharge called on citizens to travel to Delhi and participate in the rally.
“This is not just a fight to save votes; it is a people's struggle to save the Constitution and democracy,” he said.
“I appeal to every conscious citizen of the country — Come to Delhi on November 1! Join the 'Save Votes–Save the Nation' people's march and mega rally at Ramlila Maidan. Jai Hind! Jai Constitution!”
Kharge also urged people to join the “Dilli Chalo” march, reiterating that the campaign was about safeguarding democracy rather than votes alone.
(With agency input from ANI & PTI)
