Rahul Gandhi Issues Chalo Dilli Call, Traders Object, INDIA Bloc Plans March

A political row has erupted over criticisms leveled at Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), highlighting Karnataka Legislative Council election outcomes where polling was held via paper ballots. The report details how the Congress party had registered state government employees into voter rolls across teacher and graduate constituencies spanning 133 assembly segments, significantly driving up voter rolls to 2,60,000. Despite using paper ballots and claiming prior victory, Congress faced defeats across the council seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party secured major wins. The statements question opposition claims regarding EVMs and political hypocrisy over electoral processes.

The Chamber of Trade and Industry, representing traders in Delhi, has appealed to leaders of the INDIA bloc to postpone the proposed opposition rally scheduled for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan. Traders requested that the event be held after Diwali, specifically around November 10 or 11, citing massive business disruptions during the festive season. According to the traders' body, central Delhi markets witness significant footfall ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali. A major rally drawing an estimated one million people and thousands of vehicles would severely congest central Delhi, stalling business worth ten to twelve thousand crore rupees across twenty historic markets, including Chandni Chowk.

Indian Railways has launched the Kashi-Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, marking the country's second Vande Bharat sleeper service. Equipped with modern amenities and an advanced safety system, the train connects Varanasi and New Delhi via Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh, and Ghaziabad. Compared to the Shiv Ganga Express, it reduces travel time by 55 minutes from Varanasi to New Delhi and by 35 minutes on the return route. The service aims to provide faster overnight travel between key urban centres and pilgrimage destinations.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi paid homage to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Shakti Sthal in New Delhi. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior leaders also participated in the ceremony. October 31 marks the 42nd death anniversary of Indira Gandhi, which was observed as political figures gathered at Shakti Sthal to pay tribute.