BJP Takes on INDIA Bloc with ‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’ Marches Several States

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised ‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’ marches across several states on Sunday, seeking to counter the INDIA bloc’s rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.

BJP leaders used the marches to target Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition, accusing them of questioning constitutional institutions and refusing to accept election results when the BJP wins. The protests saw participation from senior leaders, party workers and supporters in states including Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Maharashtra.

Himanta Biswa Sarma leads BJP march in Shimla

In Shimla, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led the protest march, which was scheduled to conclude with a rally at Chaura Maidan.

Taking aim at Rahul Gandhi, Sarma questioned why the Congress leader was demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner while remaining silent about elections won by his own party.

He asked whether elections in Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Rae Bareli should also be cancelled, adding that Congress governments in states where the party is in power should resign before making such demands.

Sarma also challenged Gandhi to resign as a Lok Sabha MP, pointing out that he too had been elected through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the 2024 general election.

He accused the Opposition of accepting the electoral process when it wins but alleging irregularities when the BJP secures victory.

Sarma also claimed that the nationwide marches had drawn lakhs of people and accused Rahul Gandhi of protecting infiltrators.

Anurag Thakur accuses Congress of spreading anarchy

BJP MP Anurag Thakur also participated in the Shimla padyatra. He accused the Congress of spreading anarchy and attempting to obstruct India's progress.

Referring to the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, Thakur alleged that Congress leaders responsible for the killings had chosen November 1 to organise a protest against the democratic system.

He also accused Rahul Gandhi of seeking support from foreign forces and attempting to bring about regime change, claiming such efforts would not succeed.

BJP leaders join protest in Haryana and Maharashtra

A similar march was organised in Rohtak, Haryana, under the leadership of BJP national president Nitin Nabin.

In Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde participated in the protest rally in Thane.

Shinde accused the Opposition of being jealous of the government's achievements and alleged that its leaders were speaking in a manner favourable to Pakistan and foreign powers.

He cited the Centre's action against Naxalism and accused the Opposition of attempting to divide the country while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was working to unite it.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi, Shinde questioned the Congress's stand on EVMs, pointing out that its MPs and MLAs in states governed by the party had also been elected through the same voting system.

He also accused the Opposition of holding up copies of the Constitution while organising protests against the Supreme Court and the Election Commission.

BJP says constitutional institutions are being targeted

Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan said the march was organised to protect democracy and the constitutional institutions that form its foundation.

He said the institutions established under the Constitution were being targeted and undermined, adding that the protest in Thane was organised by the Mahayuti alliance.

Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske also accused the INDIA bloc of adopting new tactics to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi and obstruct the country's progress.

Mhaske alleged that Rahul Gandhi was refusing to accept the people's mandate, disrupting Parliament and organising protests against the Supreme Court.

The BJP's nationwide marches came on the same day as the INDIA bloc's ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, highlighting the growing political confrontation over electoral processes and the role of constitutional institutions.