NEW DELHI, Oct 2026 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin on Wednesday led the ‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’ (Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy) padyatra in Delhi, calling upon party workers to defend democratic institutions, counter what he described as anarchic politics and strengthen public confidence in the party.
The march began near the historic Jain Lal Mandir and was attended by Delhi BJP president and Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Lok Sabha MPs Praveen Khandelwal and Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma, BJP National Secretary Jaiprakash and several other party leaders and workers.
Addressing the gathering, Nabin said BJP workers remained committed to public service and raised people's concerns on the streets, irrespective of whether the party was in power or in opposition.
He asserted that democracy remained secure under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and claimed that the country's 140 crore citizens continued to place their faith in the Prime Minister.
Nitin Nabin targets Congress over Emergency and dynastic politics
The BJP president accused the Congress of promoting dynastic politics and alleged that the party continued to prioritise the interests of one family over national concerns.
Referring to the Emergency imposed in 1975 and the dismissal of more than 90 elected state governments during Congress rule, Nabin said voters had repeatedly expressed their views through democratic elections and held the party accountable.
He also criticised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's leadership, arguing that the party needed to reflect on its repeated electoral defeats.
Nabin said the BJP's padyatra was intended to highlight what the party considers threats to democratic institutions and mobilise its workers to counter the Opposition's political narrative.
BJP chief defends electoral roll revision
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was another major issue raised during the march.
Comparing voter lists to account books that require regular audits, Nabin said electoral rolls needed periodic verification to maintain their accuracy and reliability.
He alleged that voter lists could contain names of deceased individuals, duplicate entries and people whose whereabouts could not be established. He maintained that the revision exercise was intended to ensure that all eligible Indian citizens were included while ineligible entries, including those allegedly linked to infiltrators, were removed.
Questioning Rahul Gandhi's opposition to the exercise, Nabin accused the Congress of seeking to retain irregularities for political advantage.
The Opposition has raised concerns about the potential exclusion of eligible voters during electoral roll revisions, while the BJP has defended the exercise as necessary to improve the accuracy of voter lists.
Nabin highlights BJP's nationalism and development agenda
The BJP president also emphasised the party's nationalist credentials, recalling the 2011 Tiranga Yatra to Srinagar's Lal Chowk. He alleged that the Congress-led government at the time had not responded adequately to the situation in the region.
Nabin said BJP workers had struggled to uphold the national flag and asserted that India's unity, development and cultural heritage would continue to advance under Modi's leadership.
He highlighted the BJP's political expansion, claiming that the party's ideology could not be stopped and noting that it governed 22 states, according to his remarks.
The BJP leader also contrasted what he described as an atmosphere of uncertainty in 2013 with the hope and optimism among young people today.
Reiterating the goal of building a developed India, or Viksit Bharat, by 2047, Nabin expressed confidence in the country's development trajectory. He also said he expected Modi to hoist the national flag from the Red Fort in 2029.
BJP intensifies political campaign against AAP in Delhi
Turning his attention to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Nabin credited Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's leadership with the BJP's political success in Delhi.
He said the party would continue its efforts to challenge the remaining political influence of the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP.
Nabin also questioned the silence of Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders over alleged misconduct involving a Jawaharlal Nehru University professor who is a Congress MP.
The BJP president urged party workers to continue their outreach beyond the padyatra by visiting households, explaining the party's position on political issues and responding to Opposition criticism both on the streets and in Parliament.
He called for sustained grassroots engagement to strengthen public trust in the BJP's commitment to democracy, national development and good governance.
The Delhi march formed part of the BJP's broader political campaign against the Congress and other Opposition parties, with electoral roll revision, democratic institutions, nationalism and governance emerging as central themes of Nabin's address.
