Sambit Patra challenged attendance claims, while JP Nadda and Nitin Nabin criticised the opposition’s campaign and rally date.
BJP Launches Political Response
The BJP responded to the INDIA bloc’s November 1 gathering at Ramlila Maidan with criticism from senior leaders and counter-demonstrations in different places. Party representatives questioned the opposition’s claims about the rally and rejected its allegations concerning electoral-roll revision.
The INDIA bloc had organised the event to raise concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and alleged voter deletions. The BJP described the protest as politically motivated.
Patra Disputes the Expected Crowd Size
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra challenged the opposition’s projected attendance of around 10 lakh people. He referred to video footage of the venue and claimed that many chairs were empty when the footage was recorded.
Patra used the material during a press conference to question the opposition’s description of the rally. The source document does not provide an independently verified attendance figure, so the competing claims remain attributed to the political sides.
Nadda Criticises the Date and Political Message
JP Nadda accused the opposition of using the language of democratic protection to create political unrest. He also objected to the decision to hold the rally on November 1, which is associated with the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.
Nadda said the event could hurt Sikh community sentiments and affect businesses during the festive period. The INDIA bloc has said its purpose was to raise questions about voter rights and electoral transparency.
Nitin Nabin Speaks in Rohtak
BJP national president Nitin Nabin criticised the opposition alliance during a programme in Rohtak, Haryana. He argued that opposition parties accepted election results when they won but questioned institutions after defeats.
Nabin also referred to the 1984 violence and said Congress should apologise to the Sikh community.
Counter-Programmes in Several States
The BJP organised marches under the banner ‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’. Union ministers Bhupendra Yadav and Piyush Goyal, along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, were among the leaders named as participants in counter-demonstrations.
The programmes were used to challenge the opposition’s allegations and present the BJP’s position on democratic institutions and public order.
Electoral Roll Dispute Remains Unresolved
Opposition parties continue to raise concerns about possible exclusion of eligible voters and have demanded accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The BJP has rejected those allegations and defended the revision exercise.
The disagreement over the SIR process and the political response to the Ramlila Maidan rally remains a point of contention between the two sides.