Kumar Bahukhandi
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses the Uttar Pradesh BJP working committee meeting in Lucknow on Friday, October 30, 2026. He said the government was ready to convene a special Parliament session to discuss the Opposition’s “vote chori” allegations. Photo: @kpmaurya1/X.
Home Minister challenges Rahul Gandhi to a parliamentary debate as INDIA bloc prepares for Delhi march; Congress alleges restrictions on supporters, BJP denies claim
Key Highlights
• Amit Shah says the government is willing to convene a special Parliament session to discuss allegations of electoral manipulation.
• Speaking in Lucknow, Shah challenges Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav to pursue the issue through parliamentary debate.
• INDIA bloc plans a march to Ramlila Maidan on Saturday, October 31.
• Opposition leaders propose a symbolic “public impeachment” programme against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
• Rahul Gandhi alleges supporters are being prevented from reaching Delhi; BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra rejects the accusation.
Lucknow: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday, October 30, 2026, said the government was prepared to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Opposition’s “vote chori” allegations, challenging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to raise the issue through a parliamentary debate.
Addressing the Uttar Pradesh BJP working committee meeting, Shah rejected the allegations against the Election Commission and accused Opposition leaders of favouring street demonstrations over discussion in Parliament.
His remarks came ahead of the INDIA bloc’s planned mobilisation in Delhi on Saturday, sharpening the confrontation between the ruling BJP and Opposition parties over the conduct of elections.
Shah challenges Opposition to parliamentary debate
Shah said the government was willing to discuss the allegations in a special parliamentary session. He nevertheless claimed that Gandhi would avoid such a debate and instead continue raising the issue through protests.
The Home Minister also criticised Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, accusing both leaders of preferring political spectacle to parliamentary engagement.
Rejecting the Opposition’s accusations against the Election Commission, Shah compared their position to that of a defeated sporting team blaming the umpire.
His statement expressed the government’s willingness to hold a discussion; no date for a special session was announced in the remarks described.
INDIA bloc plans march to Ramlila Maidan
The Opposition’s ‘Chalo Dilli’ march is scheduled to begin at noon on Saturday, October 31, from the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction and proceed to Ramlila Maidan.
The programme was initially planned for Friday but was postponed because of rain.
Opposition leaders have also planned a symbolic “public impeachment” programme against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to move the symbolic motion, while Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to deliver the concluding remarks.
The proposed event is a political protest and does not constitute a formal parliamentary removal proceeding.
Gandhi alleges restrictions on people travelling to Delhi
Gandhi accused the BJP-led government and the Election Commission leadership of undermining democratic processes.
He further alleged that Shah was attempting to prevent Congress workers and members of the public from reaching Delhi to participate in the demonstration.
The Congress leader said attendance at Ramlila Maidan would indicate the extent of the alleged restrictions on people travelling to the capital.
These accusations were disputed by the BJP.
BJP demands evidence, rejects allegation
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra rejected Gandhi’s claim that people were being stopped from entering Delhi and demanded evidence of such restrictions.
Patra described the accusation as false and maintained that people had not been prevented from reaching the capital.
The exchanges set the stage for a further confrontation over the Opposition’s electoral allegations, with Shah pressing for parliamentary discussion and the INDIA bloc proceeding with its planned public demonstration.
