Delhi turns into a political battleground as the INDIA bloc holds its ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally at Ramlila Maidan, protesting against alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi leads the Opposition's charge against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Thousands gather at the venue as nearly 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel are deployed across central Delhi, with more than 200 CCTV cameras installed for security. Rahul Gandhi alleges that shops in Connaught Place were forcibly shut by the BJP. He says the Opposition had encouraged rally participants to shop locally to support traders. Union Minister JP Nadda hits back, calling the rally a “foolish and designed drama” and predicting Congress' political downfall.

Jewellers from across the country staged a protest at the Ramlila Maidan in the national capital against Centre's excise duty proposal on Thursday.