'Stay quiet or I'll speak for 1 hour': Kharge jokes at Ramlila Maidan rally - video

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had a humorous exchange with supporters at the INDIA bloc's mega rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Sunday. During his address, he warned that he could turn his five-minute speech into an hour-long address if the crowd did not quieten down.

As supporters began making noise while he was speaking, Kharge paused to tell them, "Dekho aap agar chup baithenge, main 5 min mei apna bhaashan khatam kar raha hoon. Aap chup nahi baithenge, main 1 ghanta apna bhaashan karunga." The remark comes amid the opposition's show of strength against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Several INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, attended the rally. The Congress chief also launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing its governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh of coming to power through what he called "vote theft".

He called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's removal, saying democracy could survive only if he left office. "Who votes for them? They choose themselves. The public does not elect them. The current central government, as well as the governments in Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, are all governments of vote theft. We must remove these thieves," Kharge said.

"Only if Modi goes will democracy survive. We must remove Modi to save democracy," he added. Kharge also said the opposition would fight together to remove Modi, protect the Constitution, strengthen democracy and save the country.

The rally was part of the INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Delhi' protest march. Opposition leaders and supporters from across the country gathered to raise concerns over the SIR exercise and alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.

The march began at the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction and proceeded towards Ramlila Maidan. It followed a public 'impeachment' programme against the CEC held in the capital on October 31.

Meanwhile, BJP leader and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan took part in the party's 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' (Save Democracy, End Anarchy) padayatra in Faridabad on Sunday. He accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of losing faith in democratic institutions.

Pradhan was accompanied by Union minister of state Krishan Pal Gurjar, minister of state Rajesh Nagar, Haryana sports minister Gaurav Gautam, several MLAs and party workers. The march was part of the BJP's nationwide campaign.