BY SANJEEB KUAMR SAHOO
Since I have written and tweeted about what happened on October 6 and 7 during the INDIA Bloc protest and march under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, it is now time to discuss the October 8 moment, from Moet’s (Moets) to Rajghat.
But first, I would like to mention what German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said about Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to India on January 12, 2026, when he visited Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi.
During his two-day visit to two Indian cities, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Friedrich Merz highlighted the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, stating that Gandhi’s legacy unites Indians and Germans as friends and that his teachings are “more needed today than ever.”
“Mahatma Gandhi’s unshakeable belief in the power of freedom and dignity of each and every individual inspires us to this day. This human legacy unites Indians and Germans as friends,”Friedrich Merz wrote in a note in the ashram’s visitors’ book.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also joined Friedrich Merz in paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Later, in a post on X, Modi recalled the enduring global influence of Gandhi’s ideals, saying that they “have given strength to countless people around the world.”
Well, it is time to open the box and tell everyone what happened on October 8. Just as I arrived late at the INDIA Bloc protests and march under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership on October 6 and 7, I also arrived late to witness the October 8 moment at Moets restaurant in Connaught Place, at around 2:15 p.m., where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted a lunch for INDIA Bloc MPs and leaders. Since I was writing a story about what had happened on October 7, I arrived late and could not see anyone arriving, as everyone was already inside Moets restaurant, having lunch and discussing their political strategy and the first phase of their plans.
However, when I reached the restaurant, I found huge crowds gathered around K Block in Connaught Place, New Delhi, where Moets restaurant is located. The crowd included media personnel, INDIA Bloc members, supporters, and party cadres, with nearly 90 per cent of them belonging to the Congress party.
After lunch at Moets restaurant in Connaught Place, INDIA Bloc leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and the country’s political poster boy, Rahul Gandhi,India’s Opposition leader, travelled to Rajghat in three buses, accompanied by hundreds of supporters raising slogans and waving flags.
Amid the beats of drums, the bus procession moved slowly along Minto Road and Asaf Ali Road, passing Kamala Market Gol Chakkar, Delhi Gate, and Delite Cinema. Members of the Indian Youth Congress, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and Left organisations raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
As the three buses passed through the streets on their way to Rajghat, people applauded the march led by Rahul Gandhi. I spoke with several auto-rickshaw drivers who were having a pan near Kamala Market Gol Chakkar and the Ramlila Grounds. They told me that it was time for a change of government at the Centre, meaning in New Delhi.
And whether you believe me or not, the message of vote chori (vote theft) is spreading among ordinary citizens. Some people who previously did not believe Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of vote theft are now discussing these allegations among themselves.
The three buses reached Rajghat at 4:50 p.m. on October 8. Upon reaching Rajghat, the leaders went to the memorial, sat in silence, and paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.
On October 8, 2026, INDIA Bloc leaders and around 300 Opposition (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) MPs marched to Rajghat in New Delhi to stage a peaceful sit-in protest against alleged “vote chori” (vote theft), demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over electoral roll revisions and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The October 8 protest marked the third consecutive day of agitation, following the marches toward the Election Commission on October 6 and 7, which were blocked by the police.
However, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), both constituents of the INDIA Bloc, did not participate in the protests on October 6 and 7. They were probably cooking up their own political recipes in their respective kitchens.
Now, I would like to conclude by saying that, based on my political instincts, something appears to be brewing in the kitchens of Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and top businessman Mukesh Ambani ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. I do not have any evidence to support this observation; it is based solely on my political instincts, particularly because Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha candidate Dhanraj Nathwani appears to be batting on both sides.
During the October 6 protest near the NITI Aayog building in New Delhi, when Delhi Police detained INDIA Bloc member and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Dhanraj Nathwani expressed support for the protest and wrote:
“I hope the concerns surrounding the detention of SP National President Shri Akhilesh Yadav ji and other leaders are resolved at the earliest. Peaceful expression and democratic dialogue are an important part of our democracy.”
On the other hand, on October 8, Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha candidate Dhanraj Nathwani expressed support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi by posting a lengthy message on X congratulating him on completing 25 years in public office. He also shared a video highlighting Modi’s political journey, from serving as Gujarat’s Chief Minister to leading the country as Prime Minister.
“25 years of leadership. 25 years of dedication. 25 years of Seva ka Sankalp.
Since taking oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, Shri Narendra Modi has travelled a remarkable journey—from serving Gujarat to leading India as Prime Minister. Through changing times and evolving challenges, his unwavering conviction, perseverance, and commitment to nation-building have remained constant.
Today, as we mark 25 years of public service, we celebrate a journey driven by one enduring spirit—Seva ka Sankalp, Rashtriya Kartavya, and an unwavering commitment to a rising India.
Wishing Shri Narendra Modi ji continued strength and success in the service of the nation,” Dhanraj Nathwani wrote.
The Nathwani family from Gujarat is known to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Dhanraj Nathwani’s father, Parimal Nathwani, has won Rajya Sabha elections three times as an Independent candidate from Jharkhand with the BJP’s support.
Parimal Nathwani is not only known for his proximity to Narendra Modi and Amit Shah but is also a long-time confidant of Reliance Industries Limited chairman Mukesh Ambani. He serves as the company’s Director of Corporate Affairs and works closely with its leadership.
I would not say that Dhanraj Nathwani’s tweets are a sign of immaturity. Rather, I would say that something may be brewing between Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Mukesh Ambani, and Akhilesh Yadav ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
As I said, I do not have evidence to support my claims, but I am stating this with full responsibility: Annu Tandon, a permanent trustee of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), was a Member of Parliament from Unnao, elected to the 15th Lok Sabha on a Congress ticket.
She is the wife of the late IRS officer Sandeep Tandon, who raided and investigated Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) in the early 1990s before joining Reliance as a senior official after retiring from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) was founded on September 5, 1990, with key backing and financial support from Dhirubhai Ambani and Reliance Industries
However, Annu Tandon is currently a member of the Samajwadi Party (SP), having resigned from the Congress party in October 2020. She joined the Samajwadi Party on November 2, 2020.
After all, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah seem to want to rule forever, while Mukesh Ambani seeks to maintain his dominance in the business world without demonstrating creativity or developing globally recognised products, despite receiving support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2012. Mukesh Ambani also received substantial support from the previous Congress-led government and continues to enjoy support from some Congress leaders and other opposition parties. Akhilesh Yadav wants to become the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh again. Ultimately, it all comes down to power.
