UPDATED: Nov 2, 2026 20:03 ISTIn an interview with India Today, Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev countered Congress allegations regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and voter list revisions. Calling Congress's claim that 13.36 crore voters were deleted a bluff, Dev clarified that the figure represents an unfinalized draft roll containing deceased, relocated, and untraceable individuals.
Challenging the opposition's statements about crowds at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, she said, "Politics is about public perception," maintaining that responsible parties must expose exaggerated attendance claims. Dev questioned how large numbers of voters become untraceable, explaining that such individuals are either non-existent entries or people lacking citizenship documentation.
She noted that while the Election Commission cannot declare someone a foreigner, Foreigners Tribunals hold that authority. Responding to queries about the ruling party's nationwide demonstrations, Dev described the BJP's protests as a strategic counter-effort to show ground strength against the INDI Alliance.
Read MoreVIDEOS FROM OTHER SECTIONSLATEST VIDEOS'Gyanesh Kumar Has To Be Held Accountable': Renuka ChowdhuryCongress leader Renuka Chowdhury asserted that the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise is set to hurt the six poll-bound states, insisting that it must be dismantled and reconstructed. Speaking out on the opposition's ongoing agitation regarding electoral roll deletions and 'vote chori', she targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, stating, "And Gyanesh Kumar, of course, the chief criminal in this whole thing, has to be held accountable." Chowdhury dismissed claims of disunity within the INDIA bloc, maintaining that senior leaders were pacing their involvement and that common citizens had joined the demonstrations in large numbers in Delhi.
When asked how the opposition plans to translate street protests into electoral success in upcoming assembly contests like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, Chowdhury refused to disclose tactical moves. She concluded that the wider public is rallying against rising living costs, unemployment, and safety concerns, arguing that the public movement will inevitably press ahead.INDIA Alliance Rally, Ramlila Maidan Turnout And BJP Counter-NarrativeA political war of narratives has intensified between the INDIA alliance and the Bharatiya Janata Party following the opposition rally at Ramlila Maidan.
While the ground reports indicated the venue was filled to its capacity of roughly 75,000 people despite rain and sludge, the political battle extends beyond crowd numbers to optics and messaging. During the five-hour rally window permitted by Delhi Police, senior BJP leaders including the Union Home Minister, party president, Hardeep Puri, and key figures countered the opposition gathering by holding separate rallies, protests, and padayatras across the country.India Bloc Ramlila Rally, BJP Street Blitz and Political War Over Vote ChoriA political war of optics has erupted between the India bloc and the Bharatiya Janata Party over allegations of vote chori and the Election Commission.
Following the opposition alliance's massive show of strength at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi featuring Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav, and Mamata Banerjee, the BJP launched a multi-city counteroffensive. Leading the street offensive, BJP chief Nitin Nabin held padayatras in Bihar and Bengal, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah mounted a countercharge in Hyderabad, offering a special session of Parliament for debate while accusing the Congress of relying on anarchy to stay relevant.
The clashes extended across multiple cities with counterprotests and competing claims over crowd turnouts, including sharp disputes over chair counts at rally venues. With public impeachments, padayatras, and street demonstrations playing out simultaneously, both sides continue to battle fiercely to control the political narrative and perception.Cyclone Murzu Threatens Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu After ArnobAndhra Pradesh and northern Tamil Nadu are on high alert as Cyclone Murzu approaches the coastline, marking the second cyclonic storm to hit the region within a single week following Cyclone Arnob.
The severe cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapuram with wind speeds reaching up to 120 kilometres per hour. Rough seas and heavy rainfall have already been reported in Chennai and along coastal districts including Nellore.
Authorities have declared holidays in Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur, while advising fishermen against venturing into the sea. District administrations across southern coastal Andhra Pradesh remain fully mobilised as the weather system advances.