India: Political rallies likely to intensify nationwide through late-April ahead of general elections

Various political parties are likely to continue holding rallies across India in the coming weeks through late-April. The events are to mobilize support ahead of the 2024 general elections set to occur April and May. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition party Indian National Congress (INC) are likely to hold the largest rallies involving tens of thousands of supporters. Authorities will deploy security personnel to guard venues and routes used by prominent campaigners like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, state chief ministers, and INC leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Gatherings in urban centers may disrupt operations of transport services and local businesses. Upcoming notable events include:

• March 11: Prime Minister Modi of the BJP will hold a roadshow from Delhi to Gurugram to inaugurate the Dwarka Expressway section of National Highway (NH) 248, before attending a public address in Sector 82 that will likely attract over 50,000 people from Gurugram, Jhajjar, and Rewari areas.

• March 14-22: The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC/TMC) will stage rallies across rural areas of West Bengal State with leaders claiming at least 100, 000 attendees will join each event; gatherings are scheduled in Jalpaiguri March 14, Paschim Medinipur District's Narayangarh March 16, Dakshin Dinajpur District's Gangarampur March 18, North 24 Parganas District's Basirhat March 20, and Purba Bardhaman District March 22.

• March 17: INC lawmaker Rahul Gandhi will lead a rally at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park in Dadar, Mumbai, Maharashtra State.

Other rallies, street marches, and vehicle processions are likely across the country through at least late-April. The tightest security is likely during events led by Prime Minister Modi; reports indicate he may address up to 150 rallies during his campaign trail. Sports and university grounds, prominent public squares, and major highways are the most popular venues for political rallies. Well-attended gatherings are likely to prompt security deployments, and may cause localized transport disruptions. Clashes between rival party supporters at political events cannot be ruled out, especially in Kerala and West Bengal states. Skirmishes are also possible if police attempt to forcibly disperse disruptive crowds.