'Delhi will not be held hostage': CM Rekha Gupta

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday asserted that the capital will not be held hostage and accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal of trying to turn the city into a "battleground", in league with their "B-Team" CJP.

An unprecedented police presence at Jantar Mantar foiled the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) bid to gather protesters at the site to demand resignation of Chief Electoral Officer (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. CJP convener Abhijeet Dipke and top leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained at Delhi airport on their arrival from Mumbai.

Gupta in a post on X alleged that Gandhi and Kejriwal, rejected by the people, sought to turn Delhi into a battleground in collusion with their "B-Team".

"Why are these leaders so hell-bent on venting frustration of their nonstop defeats on the public? What offense have residents of Delhi committed to be tormented by the chaos on the streets?" Gupta wrote.

The demonstration was scheduled to begin at 10.30 am, but heavy security prevented protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar. Participants instead scattered across Connaught Place, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Dilli Haat, Gole Market, INA Market and Minto Bridge, searching for alternative meeting points.

Protesters also gathered near Sansad Marg, Raisina Road, Hanuman Mandir and Shivaji Stadium metro station. Several were detained near Regal Cinema in Connaught Place, while others were chased away as they attempted to regroup.

Around 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across Delhi, according to officials. Entry and exit restrictions were imposed at 45 metro stations, while surveillance was intensified at the city's borders, railway stations and bus terminals.

Authorities had estimated that around 7,000 protesters could arrive in the capital. Police officers were instructed to exercise maximum restraint and handle the situation professionally. No violence was reported.

The disruption was particularly noticeable for protesters who had participated in a July demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Unlike that gathering, Saturday's participants struggled to establish a common meeting point and relied on social media posts and messages to coordinate.

"Last time, we were stationed at Jantar Mantar and then had to march. This time, there is so much confusion about when and where to come," a protester said, adding that participants would continue their fight for democracy.

Restrictions on mobile internet services and the suspension of trains arriving in New Delhi from outside the capital added to the difficulties faced by demonstrators.