A massive face-off unfolded in the national capital as leaders and cadres of the INDIA alliance gathered at the Constitution Club and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence before heading towards Ramlila Maidan. While permission was granted for a rally between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM at Ramlila Maidan, uncertainty remained regarding Delhi Police clearance for the opposition march from Minto Road. Significant cadre mobilization was witnessed from the Congress, Left parties, and the Samajwadi Party, with large contingents arriving from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Concurrently, the Bharatiya Janata Party mounted counter-protests across the country to counter the opposition’s optics. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and other senior leaders criticised the timing of the demonstration during the festive period, while BJP-aligned traders expressed concerns over economic losses. The ruling party also held demonstrations in Rohtak and invoked historical issues, including the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, targeting the Congress leadership.