Soren and Kejriwal take center stage at a Ranchi opposition protest

The leaders of the Opposition-led INDIA bloc proclaimed on Sunday that democracy in India teeters on the brink of peril, insisting that the BJP must be ousted from power to safeguard the nation. Gathering for a massive rally in Jharkhand’s capital, Ranchi, to showcase their strength ahead of the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha polls, these leaders vehemently criticized the BJP for what they described as its subversion of democratic institutions, labeling the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as its “extended departments,” used to suppress opposition voices.

Despite the presence of leaders from 28 parties at the ‘Ulgulan Nyay Rally,’ notable absentee included Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was unable to attend due to health reasons.

In his impassioned address, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge rebuked Modi’s administration, highlighting that while Modi claims to have appointed a tribal individual as President, this move was driven not by genuine concern for tribal welfare but by political expediency. Kharge further criticized the government’s failure to create jobs for the impoverished and fulfill promises made to the youth and farmers.

During the ‘Ulgulan Nyay Rally,’ leaders of the Opposition INDIA bloc symbolically joined hands, emphasizing their unity. Notably, two vacant chairs were placed on the stage, representing the absence of two jailed leaders—Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party and Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. Their spouses read out messages on their behalf.

In her address, Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, portrayed her husband as a courageous leader with a strong determination to improve the lives of people in the country. She listed six guarantees, including free electricity for the poor, government schools in every village for free education, multispecialty hospitals in every district, and fair prices for farmers, promising a brighter future under the INDI Alliance’s governance.

Reading out Hemant Soren’s message, Kalpana Soren accused the central agencies, such as the ED and CBI, of being misused to stifle the opposition’s voice