INDIA Bloc to meet virtually to plan ‘vote chori’ protests roadmap, November 1 rally on agenda
New Delhi: INDIA bloc leaders will meet virtually on Thursday evening to finalise their next steps in the campaign over alleged electoral irregularities and intensify pressure on Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar to resign, sources said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will chair the meeting, which will focus on a roadmap for future protests over the Opposition’s “vote chori” (vote theft) allegations and preparations for the bloc’s rally in New Delhi on November 1.
The meeting comes amid the Opposition’s sustained campaign against the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have alleged that the exercise could lead to the deletion of eligible voters and have demanded accountability from the poll panel.
The Election Commission has defended its procedures and maintained that it follows established rules in conducting elections.
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November 1 rally, protest strategy on agenda
The INDIA bloc leaders are expected to discuss how to take the “vote chori” campaign forward, coordinate further protests and put pressure on the government over their allegations.
The November 1 rally in Delhi is a key part of the Opposition’s planned campaign. Leaders had earlier announced a joint action plan under the “Save Democracy” campaign, including protests and a march towards the Election Commission headquarters.
The virtual meeting will also review preparations for the rally and consider ways to sustain the campaign against the CEC.
The latest meeting follows a series of protests and political initiatives by INDIA bloc leaders seeking action over the alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.
On October 6, Opposition MPs led by Rahul Gandhi marched towards Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission’s headquarters, demanding a meeting with the poll panel. Delhi Police stopped the march, citing the absence of permission and prohibitory orders, and detained several leaders, including Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. They were later released.
The Election Commission subsequently said Delhi Police had informed it that a delegation of around 240 MPs wanted to meet the Election Commissioners and submit a memorandum at the Parliament House Annexe. The poll panel described the proposed venue and manner of seeking the meeting as unusual under its established protocol.
On October 9, an INDIA bloc delegation, including Gandhi, Kharge, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party representatives, submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu.
The Opposition sought Kumar’s resignation, suspension of the SIR exercise, restoration of voters allegedly deleted from electoral rolls, a return to paper ballots and repeal of the 2023 law providing immunity to the CEC and Election Commissioners.
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‘Vote chori’ row reaches Supreme Court
The Opposition’s campaign has also moved to the Supreme Court.
On October 12, opposition leaders, activists and civil society members took part in a “March for Democracy” in New Delhi and filed a joint petition challenging aspects of the SIR exercise, alleging electoral irregularities.
The following day, Gandhi hosted INDIA bloc leaders at his residence. After the meeting, the Opposition reiterated its resolve to continue the campaign and take the “vote chori” issue to its logical conclusion.
On October 15, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Election Commission, Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi on petitions challenging aspects of the SIR exercise. The court also agreed to examine the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and directed Delhi Police to preserve CCTV footage of the protests amid allegations of excessive force.
The Thursday meeting is expected to help the INDIA bloc decide how to coordinate its political and legal efforts ahead of the November 1 rally.
The deliberations also come amid speculation about a possible special Parliament session to consider a Constitution amendment bill involving delimitation and the early implementation of the Women's Reservation Act.
(With agency inputs)