New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has invited top leaders of the INDIA bloc, opposition MPs, student organisations, and civil society representatives for tea at his residence on Tuesday, where they are set to discuss a unified strategy for their movement to protect democracy.

The meeting at Gandhi’s 5, Sunehri Bagh Road residence comes ahead of planned joint deliberations over ongoing political developments. The former Congress chief noted that following the tea, the gathered leaders, student groups, and activists will address the media together to present their unified stance.

"Today I have invited the leaders of the INDIA alliance, opposition MPs, student organisations, and civil society comrades to my home for tea. In this people's movement to protect democracy, we are all together - and this movement will continue relentlessly," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.

"After tea, we will all come together and present our case in front of the media. All protests are one," Gandhi said.

According to sources, discussions during the meeting are expected to focus on strategy for joint protests against alleged "vote chori" and pressing for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged SIR irregularities.

The upcoming meeting follows Monday’s major show of strength, when opposition stalwarts, activists, and civil society members launched a "March for Democracy" toward the Supreme Court. A mammoth crowd carrying flags and posters assembled at central Delhi's Connaught Place and marched along heavily barricaded routes. Protesters breached an initial barricade at Bhagwan Dass Road before being halted at a second checkpoint by security forces.

Monday's march brought together key opposition figures, including Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule, CPI’s D Raja, and CPI(M) leader M A Baby.

Following the march, top INDIA bloc leaders proceeded to the Supreme Court to file a joint petition regarding poll irregularities. The petition formally names the Election Commission of India, CEC Gyanesh Kumar, and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi as parties. The petition was submitted directly to the court after the Chief Justice of India declined a request for a meeting with the Leaders of the Opposition, stating that the matter is sub judice.

With today's tea gathering scheduled ahead of the joint press interaction, opposition parties are expected to outline their next course of action both on the streets and in the legal arena. (PTI)