BJP mocks INDIA bloc rally over turnout, questions Rahul Gandhi's '10 lakh' claim

The BJP challenged the INDIA bloc's turnout claims for its Ramlila Maidan rally. Sambit Patra cited venue visuals to allege that attendance figures were exaggerated.

In Short

• BJP contests claim of over 10 lakh attendees by Congress
• Visuals show large vacant areas and 28,000 chairs at venue
• Patra questions credibility of opposition's attendance figures

The BJP on Sunday targeted the INDIA bloc over its rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, questioning the turnout and accusing the Opposition alliance of exaggerating the number of people who attended the gathering.

Addressing a press conference as soon as INDIA bloc rally concluded, BJP MP Sambit Patra said the rally, held over allegations of 'vote chori' against the Election Commission, had failed to draw the crowds promised by Congress leaders. He cited visuals of the venue to claim that large portions of the ground remained vacant despite INDIA bloc leaders projecting an attendance of over 10 lakh people.

Patra said the BJP had been watching the rally since morning and listening to Rahul Gandhi's speech, but described the event as a "complete waste of time".

Referring to statements by Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Pawan Khera, Patra said they had projected a turnout of more than 10 lakh people at the rally.

He presented visuals of Ramlila Maidan, claiming that around 15 per cent of the ground was occupied by the stage and the designated area in front of it, while nearly 40 per cent of the remaining space was vacant.

Patra said around 28,000 chairs had been placed at the venue and pointed to footage recorded between 3 pm and 4 pm to question the turnout claims.

He argued that the visuals did not support the figure of 10 lakh people cited by the Congress leaders.

- Ends