The INDIA bloc on Wednesday announced a series of nationwide protests against the Election Commission and what opposition leaders described as threats to democratic institutions.
The decision was taken at a coordination meeting of opposition parties in New Delhi on September 30.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the discussions lasted nearly three-and-a-half hours, with leaders from several parties presenting their views and agreeing to pursue the issue jointly.
“Everyone has decided to fight together in a united manner,” Kharge said. He added that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren also shared their views during the meeting.
Kharge announced a nationwide programme of demonstrations, including district-level “Save Democracy” marches from October 2 to October 8.
He said opposition MPs would march to the Election Commission on October 6.
Opposition leaders also plan to seek an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October to raise their concerns about the functioning of democratic institutions.
The bloc has further planned five major rallies in October and November, with the dates and venues to be finalised.
A major rally is scheduled to take place in Delhi on November 1, with the opposition linking the demonstration to its allegations of “vote chori” and concerns over the electoral process.
Kharge alleged that democratic 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 that the functioning of opposition parties was being disrupted.
These claims are part of the opposition’s broader criticism of the Election Commission and its handling of electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, speaking at the same press conference, said the opposition would continue its campaign until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigned.
Banerjee also called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation.
She alleged that Kumar had “hijacked the EVMs” and said the protests would continue if he did not step down. Calling for wider public participation, Banerjee appealed to students, young people and journalists to support the campaign.
The Election Commission, meanwhile, has maintained that electoral-roll revisions fall within its constitutional mandate.
Rahul Gandhi said INDIA bloc leaders were committed to holding accountable those whom they believe were responsible for what he described as the “destruction of Indian democracy”.
Gandhi said the position or seniority of any individual would not matter because, in his words, “Indian democracy is bigger than every single person in this country.”
He also said opposition leaders believed they had succeeded in communicating to the public their allegations concerning “vote chori”.
Gandhi further accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of undermining democratic institutions and said there was growing resistance, particularly among young people, to the current political situation.
Addressing opposition leaders after the meeting, Gandhi described them as the “collective defenders of the Indian Constitution” and said it was an honour to work together with them.
He added that the opposition was confident of bringing about what he called “serious changes” in the country over the coming months.
The meeting comes amid continuing opposition criticism of the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and other issues related to the electoral process.
Opposition parties have raised allegations about changes to voter lists and the functioning of the Election Commission. The poll panel has defended its actions and maintained that the revision of electoral rolls is part of its constitutional responsibilities.
The latest INDIA bloc meeting signals a coordinated effort by opposition parties to take their concerns to the streets through a series of marches, rallies and meetings in the coming weeks.
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