Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said INDIA bloc leaders were committed to ensuring action against those whom he accused of destroying Indian democracy, and said the opposition would work to "make serious changes in the country" over the next few months.
Speaking after the INDIA bloc coordination meeting in New Delhi, Gandhi said the opposition leaders were committed to taking action regardless of the position or seniority of those involved.
"It is the personal commitment of all INDIA leaders that we are going to ensure that the people who have destroyed Indian democracy are punished. It doesn't matter how senior they are, who they are; Indian democracy is bigger than every single person in this country," he said.
Gandhi said the meeting also reflected a sense of resistance among young people over what he described as the state of democracy in the country.
"There was also a feeling in the room that the opposition has been quite successful in putting a cross to the people of India that elections are stolen, that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have destroyed democracy, and there is a new sense of resistance, particularly among young people, that what is going on in India is wrong and needs to be stopped," the Congress MP said.
Describing opposition leaders as the "collective defenders of the Indian Constitution", Gandhi said it was an honour to work with them.
"We are confident that over the next few months, we will make serious changes in the country," he said.
The remarks came after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced a nationwide protest programme against the Election Commission and over alleged threats to democratic institutions.
Kharge said the INDIA bloc meeting lasted nearly three-and-a-half hours, during which leaders from various parties expressed their views and agreed to fight together.
"Discussions continued for around three-and-a-half hours. Many leaders expressed their views. Uddhav Thackeray ji and Hemant Soren ji also shared their views. Everyone has decided to fight together in a united manner," Kharge said.
Kharge alleged that institutions were being weakened and accused the Election Commission of being influenced by the government. He also alleged that elections were being won through unfair means and claimed that the democratic functioning of opposition parties was being disrupted.
Under the announced protest programme, INDIA bloc leaders will hold a "Save Democracy March" at the district level from October 2 to October 8. Opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission on October 6, while opposition leaders will meet President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October to raise concerns over alleged institutional issues.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also addressed the press conference and said the opposition would continue its protest until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns. She also demanded PM Modi's resignation.
“It is publicly known that Gyanesh Kumar is a thief, a dacoit. He has hijacked the EVMs. Our demand is that if Gyanesh Kumar does not resign, this protest will continue for a long time. The Prime Minister must resign immediately. We will save democracy. We want your support, students, youth and journalists," Banerjee said.
With the opposition continuing to raise the issue, the stage is set for a bitter political fight, especially with 5 states going to the polls in 2027.