New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury on Sunday defended the INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Delhi' rally at Ramlila Maidan, describing the gathering as a reflection of renewed democratic participation. She said people from different parts of the country had arrived in the national capital to raise their concerns over voting rights and democracy.
Speaking on the sidelines of the rally, Chowdhury said the atmosphere across the country reflected growing public enthusiasm. She claimed that citizens were coming together to demand the protection of their fundamental right to vote.
"The whole of India is in a state of excitement. Today, the fragrance of freedom is coming again and people are coming out. People have come from all over India. They have come here to ask for their vote. Look at India and understand what this democracy is," she said.
Taking aim at the government and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Chowdhury questioned their response to the concerns being raised by opposition parties. She challenged them to come forward and witness the public participation at the rally.
The Congress leader also rejected allegations by the BJP that the opposition gathering could negatively affect businesses in Delhi, particularly during the festive season. Dismissing the claims as "false rumours", she pointed to Rahul Gandhi's appeal asking rally participants to visit local markets and purchase goods.
Chowdhury argued that the presence of visitors from different states could benefit local traders rather than cause financial losses.
"It is festival time. Buy clothes for the children and take them home. They are going to get profit from their money, so where did the talk of loss come from?" she said.
She added that she had encouraged participants travelling from Khammam in Telangana to explore Delhi's markets and shop for their families.
Her remarks came amid political exchanges between the BJP and opposition parties over the impact of the INDIA bloc rally on the capital's businesses and daily activities.
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