The opposition’s show of unity in the capital is set to continue on Tuesday, with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi inviting INDIA bloc MPs, civil society members and student organisations for high tea at his residence. The meeting comes a day after thousands took to the streets of New Delhi for the opposition’s March for Democracy, which ended at the Supreme Court’s doorstep.
According to the invite sent out on Monday, a joint press conference of INDIA bloc leaders will be held in the afternoon, followed by tea at Gandhi’s residence at 5, Sunehri Bagh Road at 4 pm. The gathering is expected to be a strategy session as much as a show of solidarity, with opposition leaders deliberating on the next steps in their protest against alleged electoral irregularities.
Joint Presser Before the Tea
The day’s programme will begin with a joint press conference of INDIA bloc leaders in the afternoon. Sources said the leaders are expected to discuss the strategy for their ongoing protests against what the opposition calls “vote chori”, and to press their demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The press conference is also expected to address the status of the petition filed in the Supreme Court on Monday. Eleven INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool MP Saugata Roy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, are the petitioners in the case that challenges alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
After Monday’s March for Democracy
Tuesday’s meeting builds on the momentum of Monday’s march, which saw a mammoth crowd carrying flags and posters descend on central Delhi’s Connaught Place. Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, joined the march alongside Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, CPI’s D Raja, CPI-M leader M A Baby, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav and NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule.
The protesters breached one barricade at Bhagwan Dass Road before being halted at the second barricade. Later, the top opposition leaders proceeded to the Supreme Court to file their petition against the Election Commission of India. The petition has named the Election Commission, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi as parties in the case.
After the march, Rahul Gandhi thanked the participants on social media, calling it an important day for showing the government that the people of India would not be intimidated.
Petition Hits Registry Snags
However, the legal route has hit an early hurdle. The Supreme Court registry flagged 14 defects in the petition on Monday, including a shortfall of Rs 220 in court fees, an illegible photocopy of Mallikarjun Kharge’s identity card and missing vakalatnamas for nine of the 11 petitioners.
As a result, the matter will not be heard on Tuesday. The petitioners’ legal team has requested that the matter be listed on Wednesday after the defects are cured. The plea seeks an independent, time-bound inquiry into decisions allegedly taken unilaterally by the Chief Election Commissioner and the suspension of the ongoing SIR pending the inquiry.
BJP Dismisses Protests as Theatrics
The ruling BJP has dismissed the opposition’s moves. On Monday, the party called Rahul Gandhi a leader disconnected from the ground and described the march to the Supreme Court as pure theatrics. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described the Congress leadership as visionless, while BJP MP Anurag Thakur said the country needed evidence, not allegations.
The BJP has accused the Congress of blaming constitutional institutions for its electoral defeats instead of introspecting on its leadership, and of making baseless allegations about “vote chori” against the Election Commission and electronic voting machines.
What to Watch Today
All eyes will be on the joint press conference and the 4 pm tea at Gandhi’s residence. Key points to watch:
- Whether the INDIA bloc announces its next line of protest after the march and the petition.
- How the opposition frames the registry defects in its Supreme Court petition, and whether the plea gets listed on Wednesday.
- Whether student organisations and civil society groups, whose presence was a notable feature of Monday’s march, take on a bigger public role.
- The BJP’s response to whatever comes out of the tea meeting.
FAQs
Why is Rahul Gandhi hosting a high tea today?
He has invited INDIA bloc MPs, civil society members and student organisations to his residence after a joint press conference, to build on Monday’s March for Democracy and discuss strategy against alleged electoral irregularities.
Who all are expected to attend?
MPs from the INDIA bloc constituents, civil society members and representatives of student organisations are expected at the 4 pm meeting at 5, Sunehri Bagh Road, New Delhi.
What is the Supreme Court petition about?
Eleven opposition leaders have petitioned the court against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, seeking an inquiry into decisions allegedly taken unilaterally by the Chief Election Commissioner.
When will the petition be heard?
The registry flagged 14 defects in the petition on Monday, so it will not be heard on Tuesday. The legal team has asked for it to be listed on Wednesday after the defects are cured.
What has the BJP said about the protests?
The BJP has called the march and the petition pure theatrics, accusing the opposition of undermining constitutional institutions and making baseless allegations instead of introspecting.
Informeia will track the press conference and the tea meeting through the day and update this story as it develops.
