'Have backup leaders ready': AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj announces Oct 10 protest, cautions supporters

Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj on Monday said a protest will be held at Jantar Mantar on October 10 against the Election Commission and asked organisations supporting it to prepare backup leadership and communication plans in case their leaders are detained.

Bharadwaj asks groups to prepare backup leadership

Bharadwaj said organisations should have second- and third-level leadership ready in case their top leaders are arrested, adding that district and assembly-level leaders could also be detained a day before the proposed protest.

In a video on X, Bharadwaj claimed, "Leaders and organisers of the protest could be arrested in false cases ahead of the demonstration and urged political parties and organisations to ensure that the protest continues even if their senior leaders are detained."

“This protest is bigger than any leader, political party or organisation. This is a protest of 140 crore Indians,” he added.

AAP leader calls for alternative communication channels

He asked organisations to have communication plans ready if leaders were detained or messaging platforms were blocked.

"When a leader is present in a protest, he talks to the police and authorities and keeps the protest peaceful. But without a leader, it becomes difficult to keep the protest peaceful," Bharadwaj said.

He appealed to organisers to ensure the protest remained democratic, constitutional, legal and peaceful “even if arrests take place”.

October 10 protest against Election Commission

Bharadwaj said the movement should have contingency plans for both leadership and communication, including alternative channels if regular platforms become unavailable.

"After one leadership, there should be another leadership which gives leadership to the whole protest and keeps it peaceful," he added.

The AAP and student outfits such as AISA, NSUI and IYC held protests on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR process and voting rights.