INDIA bloc announces protest marches against Election Commission, plans rallies in October-November

The INDIA bloc on Wednesday announced a series of protests against the Election Commission, including a district-level "Save Democracy March" from October 2 to October 8 and a march by opposition MPs to the Election Commission on October 6.

The announcement came after a coordination meeting in New Delhi, where opposition parties agreed to work together in a coordinated manner.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said discussions continued for nearly three-and-a-half hours, with leaders from various parties sharing their views and agreeing 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 alleged that elections were being won through unfair means and claimed that the democratic functioning of opposition parties was being disrupted.

Kharge said opposition leaders would also seek an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October to raise concerns over alleged institutional issues. He added that five major rallies would be held in October-November, with their venues and dates to be finalised soon. A major rally will be organised in Delhi on November 1.

"Members of the INDIA bloc will stage protests at DM offices from October 2 to October 8, and on October 6, all opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission. Opposition leaders will seek an appointment with the President in the second week of October to apprise her of the manner in which institutions are being taken over. Five major rallies will be held in Oct-Nov, and the venues and dates will be finalised soon. A major rally will be organised in Delhi on November 1 because everyone now acknowledges what Rahul ji and Didi used to say on 'vote chori"

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the opposition would continue to protest until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns. She also demanded Prime Minister Narendra 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.

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said INDIA bloc leaders were committed to ensuring action against those responsible for what he described as the destruction of democracy.

"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. 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," he said.

With the opposition continuing to raise the issue, the stage is set for a political fight, particularly with five states going to the polls in 2027.