By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi 

BJP chief targets Congress over electoral rolls; Rekha Gupta, party leaders join Chandni Chowk rally

NEW DELHI: BJP National President Nitin Nabin on Wednesday led the party’s “Save Democracy – Remove Anarchy” march through Delhi’s historic Chandni Chowk, accusing the Congress of undermining democratic institutions and alleging that it sought to turn the wishes of one family into national policy.

The march began at Red Fort Chowk and concluded at Town Hall Chowk, drawing Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra, party MPs, ministers, senior leaders, traders and thousands of workers.

Addressing party workers before the march, Nabin asserted that Indian democracy was secure under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, claiming that public confidence in democratic institutions rested on the Prime Minister’s commitment to serving the country’s 1.4 billion citizens.

‘Electoral Rolls Are Democracy’s Account Books’

Drawing a parallel with the accounting practices of Chandni Chowk’s trading community, Nabin described electoral rolls as the “account book of democracy” and argued that their accuracy and transparency were essential to strengthening the electoral system.

He alleged that Congress leaders became restless whenever efforts were made to improve electoral rolls. Nabin called for the removal of duplicate entries and the names of deceased voters, while insisting that every eligible Indian citizen must be included and legally ineligible entries removed in accordance with the law.

The BJP president also accused the Congress of failing to learn from its political history, citing the Emergency and the dismissal of more than 90 democratically elected state governments during Congress rule. He maintained that the strength of Indian democracy had endured despite such episodes.

BJP Pitches Development, National Service

Nabin said the march was intended to convey that there was no place for anarchy in the country. He asserted that India was advancing in development while preserving its cultural heritage and national pride.

Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said BJP workers and the government had worked to provide relief to people during the crisis, describing public service in difficult times as central to the party’s work culture.

He also recalled the BJP’s 2011 Tiranga Yatra to Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, saying party workers had fulfilled their resolve to hoist the national flag despite the challenges they faced.

Nabin said the BJP’s expansion extended beyond electoral politics to its stated ideals of nationalism, development and public service. He added that the party remained committed to the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047.

Rekha Gupta Targets Congress Leadership

Addressing the gathering, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta criticised the Congress leadership and its political campaigns, including allegations of vote theft. She argued that electoral mandates reflected the people’s choices and accused the opposition of failing to respect the verdict of voters.

Gupta expressed confidence in Modi’s continued leadership and said the Delhi government was pursuing development and good governance. She also accused the Congress of repeatedly promoting political leadership that, in her view, had failed to deliver electoral success.

Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra described the march from the Red Fort to Town Hall as a demonstration of Delhi’s pride and national self-respect. He accused opposition parties of disrupting public life through protests and said the BJP stood for constitutional values, peace and democratic propriety.

“Delhi wants development, not anarchy. Delhi wants democracy, not riots,” Malhotra said, outlining the message he said the march was intended to convey.

Traders Welcome March Through Chandni Chowk

The march passed through Chandni Chowk, a historic commercial district, where representatives of several traders’ associations welcomed the participants at reception stages set up along the route.

Business activities continued normally during the event, according to the BJP statement.

Chandni Chowk MP and Confederation of All India Traders secretary-general Praveen Khandelwal thanked local traders for their participation and said the party was determined to counter what it described as political anarchy.

Delhi minister Pravesh Sahib Singh, meanwhile, accused opposition leaders of attempting to prevent the removal of ineligible names from electoral rolls, including those allegedly linked to illegal immigration. These allegations were made by the BJP leaders during the event.

BJP Reaffirms 2047 Development Goal

The rally also featured speeches by other BJP leaders, who criticised the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party over their political strategies and governance records.

Nabin concluded by reiterating the party’s commitment to national interest, public service and development. He said strengthening democracy, ensuring transparent electoral rolls, preventing disorder and protecting national unity were collective responsibilities.

The BJP maintained that its campaign would continue to focus on development and governance as India works towards the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.