A full-blown political faceoff has emerged over the Special Summary Revision (SIR) and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition is preparing for a Save Democracy rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan starting 1 November, while the Bharatiya Janata Party has announced nationwide padayatras under its Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao campaign, led by Home Minister Amit Shah in Hyderabad on 2 November. Delhi traders have raised concerns over possible traffic curbs impacting business during the festive season, urging a postponement of the rally. Rahul Gandhi linked these concerns to allegations of vote theft and sought the removal of the CEC. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court refuting claims of unilateral decision-making by the CEC. The commission affirmed that all three SIR decisions were unanimous, internal norms and electronic approvals were adhered to, and Form 6 remains unchanged without any unauthorised additions or deletions from electoral rolls.
