New Delhi, 30 October (H.S.): Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has alleged that efforts are being made to prevent people travelling to Delhi from other states from attending the opposition rally scheduled to be held at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.

He claimed that Congress workers and ordinary citizens travelling to the national capital from several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Telangana and Punjab, were being stopped from reaching the venue.

Addressing a press conference on Friday at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Gandhi alleged that attempts were underway to obstruct people coming to Delhi ahead of the opposition rally. He said the number of people who managed to reach the capital, as well as those allegedly stopped along the way, would offer an indication of the prevailing situation in the country.

Gandhi claimed that widespread anger and emotional distress prevailed among people, alleging that millions had been deprived of their right to vote. He further alleged that votes were being stolen to benefit Adani, Omanis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and even God.

Describing the protests as part of a larger movement rather than isolated demonstrations, Gandhi said the entire Opposition was united and that everyone wishing to raise their voice in protest was welcome to join.

The Congress MP said the struggle was aimed at safeguarding the Constitution, the idea of India and the fundamental right to vote. He asserted that the right to vote represented the voice of every Indian and that opposition parties had come together to defend this democratic right.

Gandhi also announced that a programme scheduled to take place on Friday, involving a meeting of the INDIA bloc, had been postponed until Saturday. A march would subsequently be organised at Ramlila Maidan the following day. He appealed to people to participate in the march.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar