Among those present were senior Congress figures Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi, as well as NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav.
A look at who said what in the concluding moments of the Congress' mega rally:
Rahul Gandhi
Reflecting on his 63-day foot march, Rahul Gandhi emphasised the need to address issues, such as rising unemployment, inflation, and lack of societal harmony over the past decade under the Narendra Modi government.
He claimed Prime Minister Modi's electoral success hinges on entities like EVMs, ED, CBI, and Income Tax, alleging a "monopoly over corruption" by the latter.
"There is a word 'Shakti' in Hinduism. We are fighting against a Shakti. The question is, what is that Shakti. The soul of the King is in the EVM. The soul of the King in the EVM and every institution of the country, in ED, CBI, and Income Tax department. A senior leader from Maharashtra left Congress and cried in from of my mother and said 'Sonia ji, I am ashamed that I don't have the power to fight this Shakti. I do not want to go to jail.' Thousands of people have been threatened like this..."
Farooq Abdullah
Farooq Abdullah took a dig at the Centre, blaming it for the lack of independence in the Election Commission, and also expressed confidence in its autonomy once the INDIA coalition assumes power. He urged voters to verify their ballots, denouncing EVMs as unreliable.
"You have to protect your votes because the machine (EVM) is a thief. When you cast your vote, check the paper and verify your vote... When the INDIA Alliance will form the government, this machine will end. Secondly, the Election Commission will become independent..." he noted.
Mehbooba Mufti
PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti, meanwhile, ridiculed the BJP's apprehension towards the name "Gandhi".
"...You (Rahul Gandhi) have Gandhi in your name and the BJP is scared of it. Today, I can see people with different thoughts and ideas here; let me tell you, this is 'India.' The election is all set to begin; the public has the most powerful weapon of the Constitution and that is the 'vote.'...." she said.
Tejashwi Yadav
Tejashwi Yadav lashed out at the PM Modi government for "hijacking" constitutional institutions, while praising Gandhi's efforts to safeguard the constitution and social cohesion.
"Constitutional institutions are being hijacked and elected governments are being brought down. When fake propaganda is being spread, Rahul ji completed Bharat Jodo Yatra to bring back unity and democracy. We have come together to save diversity of the country and not to defeat Modi or Shah," said the RJD leader.
Sharad Pawar
NCP leader Sharad Pawar highlighted Mumbai's historical significance as the starting point of the Quit India movement against the British, urging for a similar rejection of the BJP from power.
"There is a need to bring a change. Those who have cheated the country by giving false promises, need to be taught a lesson when we will get the power to vote," he said.
Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray drew parallels of the BJP to a balloon, criticising the party's single-minded focus on Prime Minister Modi and power.
"For PM Modi only he and the prime minister's chair are his family. They want more than 400 seats to impose dictatorship in the country. However, when people unite dictatorships end. Ab ki baar BJP tadipar," said the Shiv Sena leader.
MK Stalin
Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK supremo MK Stalin denounced electoral bonds as a form of "white-collar corruption" by the ruling BJP, asserting INDIA's commitment to establishing a secular, federal, and inclusive government. He highlighted the BJP's avoidance of the term 'India' since the formation of the opposition bloc, attributing it to fear and accusing the party of corruption.
"PM Modi has started defaming us as corrupt, but electoral bonds proved that BJP is corrupt. It's white collar corruption of the BJP," said the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
The 'Nyay Yatra', which commenced in conflict-hit Manipur on January 14, concluded after 63 days in Mumbai on March 17. It travelled to more than 100 Lok Sabha constituencies across 15 states, including Assam, West Bengal, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra.
The Election Commission, on March 16, declared that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will span seven phases, running from April 19 to June 1, with the vote tallying scheduled for June 4.
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