Rahul Gandhi accuses Modi government of 'match-fixing' 2024 Lok Sabha polls

Despite differences over seat-sharing arrangements, top leaders of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc shared the stage in New Delhi on Sunday in support of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been arrested in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam, even as PM Modi targeted the grouping and said some people were trying to “save the corrupt” but he would continue his fight against graft.

The ‘Loktantra Bachao’ rally at the iconic Ramlila Maidan was an AAP show but it provided a setting for what appears to be yet another move to unite the Opposition that has endured several hiccups over the last few months.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Jharkhand CM Champai Soren, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP supremo Farooq Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who turned up at the rally.

Speaking at the I.N.D.I.A. rally, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Modi of match-fixing the 2024 polls. “The umpire is chosen by Narendra Modi, two players from our team have been arrested and our money is frozen,” Rahul said, adding the BJP will not cross 180 seats despite all these moves.

He also shot off a warning. “If the BJP wins these fixed elections, they will change the Constitution and this country will burn. You have to decide if you want democracy or dictatorship,” Rahul said as he added that only 22 people in India hold the wealth that over 70 crore people, or 50 per cent of India hold.

Kharge likened the BJP to poison. “The BJP and the RSS are like poison, don't taste it. They have destroyed the country and they should not be allowed to destroy it further,” he said.

Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav said that those who are out of Delhi (PM Modi held a rally at Meerut) will remain outside. “These people are giving the slogan of '400 Paar'. If you are going to win more than 400 seats, then why are you scared of this AAP leader,” he asked.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav said that cases have been slapped on his father (Lalu Yadav), mother, and sisters. “We are not the ones to get scared. The manner in which Hemant Soren ji and (Arvind) Kejriwal ji have been arrested (has been seen by everyone). We are not going to be cowed down by their threat,” he said.

Uddhav Thackeray said that the country needs to have a coalition government. “It is time that one party and one person's government have to go because it has become dangerous for the country. We need to bring a coalition government now,” he said.

Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita, was present; as was Kalpana Soren, wife of incarcerated Hemant Soren, the former CM of Jharkhand. Sonia Gandhi was seen showing her support to the two women.

However, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin were both absent due to campaign work; both sent representatives of their parties.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi listed 5 demands of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc parties to the poll ombudsman urging Election Commission to ensure a level playing field in the ensuing elections.

Reading out the demands at the Ramlila Maidan Rally, Priyanka said the EC should stop Income Tax Department, CBI and ED action against the opposition parties.

She also demanded that former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal be immediately released, action to stifle opposition for finances be stopped and a Supreme Court monitored SIT be formed to investigate the Electoral Bond scheme.

“When I was a kid, I used to come here with by Grandmother Indiraji who used to narrate Ramayana to me,” Priyanka said.

“When Lord Ram fought for truth, he did not have power, resources or even a chariot. I want to tell those in power and PM Narendra Modi that the message of Lord Ram’s life is that power is not permanent…..and arrogance gets shattered,” she added.