New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday criticised the Opposition’s rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, calling it a “flop show” and claiming that a large portion of the ground remained empty. The party also challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to provide legal evidence for his allegation that the 2024 Lok Sabha election was illegal because of alleged vote theft.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the Congress had expected a gathering of 10 lakh people but failed to attract the numbers it had promised. He also alleged that the crowd shown in visuals from the event did not accurately reflect the turnout.

The criticism came after Opposition leaders gathered at Ramlila Maidan for the ‘Chalo Delhi’ protest rally against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the revision of electoral rolls. Gandhi used the platform to repeat his allegations of vote theft during the 2024 general election and accused the Chief Election Commissioner of playing a role in the alleged manipulation.

The BJP rejected the allegations and questioned why the Congress had not approached the courts with a petition challenging the election results.

Sambit Patra questions crowd turnout at rally

Speaking to reporters after the rally, Patra described the gathering as a failure and claimed that around 40 per cent of the ground was empty.

“The Congress said there will be a crowd of 10 lakh, but 40 per cent of the ground was empty,” the BJP spokesperson said.

He also questioned the visuals circulated from the event, alleging that the presentation of the crowd involved camera angles and other techniques that made the gathering appear larger.

The BJP said such visual presentation could not be taken as evidence of public support for the Opposition. Patra’s remarks were part of the party’s broader criticism of the rally and its political message.

The BJP also targeted Gandhi over his allegations concerning the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Patra argued that a political leader who believes an election was conducted illegally should challenge it through the appropriate legal process rather than make allegations at a public gathering.

BJP challenges Rahul Gandhi to approach court

Patra directly questioned Gandhi over his claim that the 2024 election was illegal because of alleged vote theft.

“Show me the petition you have filed that 2024 election is illegal,” Patra said.

He added that challenges to election results should be made immediately through the legal process rather than raised at rallies long after the election.

“You challenge the elections immediately after the election, not like this,” he said.

The BJP spokesperson also referred to Gandhi’s criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Patra pointed out that Kumar was appointed after the 2024 Lok Sabha election, using the timeline to question the allegations made by the Congress leader.

Patra further criticised Gandhi’s references to religious imagery during his speech. He said Gandhi had compared the rally twice with Shiv-ji ki Baraat and accused him of confusing the symbolism of the wedding procession of Lord Shiva with Shiv Tandav.

“In the next election, you will see Janta ki Tandav,” Patra said, using the phrase to attack the Opposition’s political position.

The BJP’s response focused on both the size of the gathering and the allegations against the Election Commission.

Rahul Gandhi accuses Chief Election Commissioner of vote theft

Addressing the rally, Gandhi alleged that the 2024 Lok Sabha election was illegal because of what he described as vote theft involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

“This theft of votes is no ordinary theft. This is the theft of every voice of India. This is called treason,” Gandhi said.

He alleged that Kumar’s role was central to the BJP’s return to power and claimed that Narendra Modi would not have become Prime Minister, nor Amit Shah Home Minister, without the Chief Election Commissioner.

Gandhi also said Kumar would “go to jail” for the alleged role he attributed to him.

These remarks were part of the Congress leader’s continuing criticism of the electoral process and the functioning of the Election Commission. The allegations were rejected by the BJP, which challenged Gandhi to substantiate them through legal proceedings.

The rally was organised against Chief Election Commissioner Kumar and the revision of voter lists. Opposition leaders have raised concerns about electoral rolls and the process through which voters are included or removed.

Gandhi raises unemployment and farmers’ concerns

Apart from the allegations of vote theft, Gandhi used his address to raise issues concerning farmers, employment and economic inequality.

He alleged that farmers were not receiving their due rights and that young people were struggling to find employment. He also criticised the distribution of wealth, claiming that a large share of the country’s resources had gone into the hands of a small number of people.

“The farmer is not getting his rights. The youth are not getting employment. The labourer is not getting his rights, and the entire wealth has gone into the hands of two or three people,” Gandhi said.

He added that the Opposition would not accept an India in which farmers, young people and workers continued to face such difficulties.

The remarks broadened the rally’s message beyond electoral concerns, bringing together political criticism and economic issues. The Opposition sought to present the gathering as a platform to raise concerns about democratic representation, employment and the rights of different sections of society.

Akhilesh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee attend Chalo Delhi rally

The ‘Chalo Delhi’ rally at Ramlila Maidan brought together several prominent Opposition leaders.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee were among those who attended the gathering. Their participation highlighted the involvement of regional parties in the protest against the Chief Election Commissioner and the voter list revision process.

The march began at the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction before proceeding towards Ramlila Maidan, where leaders addressed supporters.

The gathering was intended to demonstrate Opposition unity around concerns over electoral rolls and the conduct of elections. However, the BJP used the event to question both the turnout and the credibility of the allegations raised by the leaders.

Political confrontation over election process continues

The rally and the BJP’s response reflect the continuing political dispute over allegations of vote theft and the revision of electoral rolls. While Gandhi accused the Chief Election Commissioner of being involved in alleged electoral wrongdoing, the BJP dismissed the claims and demanded that the Congress pursue the matter through the courts.

The competing claims have kept the Election Commission and the integrity of the electoral process at the centre of the political debate. The BJP’s criticism of the rally’s turnout added another dimension to the confrontation, with both sides seeking to project their respective positions as representative of public sentiment.

The Opposition leaders used the Ramlila Maidan gathering to raise questions about electoral procedures and economic concerns, while the BJP portrayed the event as an unsuccessful show of political strength.