New Delhi is in for a politically charged Thursday evening. The Opposition’s INDIA bloc will meet virtually today to decide the next phase of its agitation against the Election Commission over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with the roadmap for “vote chori” protests, a renewed push for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, and preparations for the November 1 rally in the capital all on the table.
According to sources, the online meeting will be chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. This is not the first time the bloc has tried to take the fight against the poll body into its own hands, but tonight’s discussion matters because it will shape how the Opposition keeps the pressure alive through Diwali week and into the big November 1 show of strength in Delhi.
What is on tonight’s agenda
Three big items will dominate the discussion:
- The protest roadmap: INDIA bloc leaders will brainstorm the next round of street-level agitations over what they call “vote chori”, building on a string of marches and sit-ins held through the first half of October.
- The CEC resignation demand: The bloc will discuss ways to keep pressing for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over the SIR exercise, a demand that has now moved from rallies to the doorstep of the Supreme Court.
- The November 1 rally: Leaders will review preparations for the INDIA bloc’s rally against the CEC in Delhi on November 1, expected to be the campaign’s biggest public event so far.
The build-up to tonight
The campaign has been gathering steam through October. Earlier this month, Opposition parties held back-to-back protests demanding the CEC’s immediate removal. On October 6, they first marched from Parliament to the Election Commission, but were stopped along the way. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi then staged an eight-hour sit-in inside the Akashvani Bhawan complex before being removed.
On October 7, Opposition MPs met for lunch in central Delhi and then staged a march to Jantar Mantar, and the next day they visited Rajghat. Last week, the protests reached the Supreme Court’s doorstep: on October 12, Opposition leaders, activists and civil society members took part in a “March for Democracy” along a heavily barricaded route and filed a joint petition against the SIR, alleging poll irregularities in a major show of strength in the national capital.
A day later, on October 13, Rahul Gandhi hosted INDIA bloc leaders for tea at his residence. After that meeting, the Opposition bloc vowed to continue resisting and to take the “vote chori” fight to its logical conclusion. Tonight’s virtual session is the next step in that plan.
Why the resignation demand keeps growing
The INDIA bloc has accused the poll body of facilitating electoral manipulation through the SIR exercise and has demanded Kumar’s resignation. Rahul Gandhi has argued that the CEC is not the only person responsible for the alleged wrongdoing, suggesting the rot runs deeper inside the Commission.
The demand gained fresh momentum after reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over the preceding 10 months, mostly concerning decisions and orders related to the SIR exercise. The Election Commission has maintained that differences of opinion during institutional deliberations are normal, but the Opposition has seized on the reported dissent as evidence that all is not well at Nirvachan Sadan.
What to watch next
Tonight’s meeting is also significant for what may be discussed on the sidelines. There is speculation in political circles that the government could convene Parliament for a Constitution Amendment Bill involving delimitation, aimed at the early implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act. The Opposition is expected to read the fine print closely before taking a position.
For now, the focus stays on the vote chori campaign. Whether tonight’s meeting produces a detailed calendar of protests, or keeps its cards close to its chest till the November 1 rally, will set the tone for the Opposition’s strategy in the weeks ahead.
FAQs
When is the INDIA bloc’s online meeting?
The virtual meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, October 22, and will be chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
What will the meeting decide?
The leaders will discuss the roadmap for “vote chori” protests, press for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, and review preparations for the INDIA bloc’s rally in Delhi on November 1.
Why is the Opposition protesting against the Election Commission?
The INDIA bloc alleges irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, calling it “vote chori”, and has accused the poll body of facilitating electoral manipulation.
What happened in the earlier protests?
On October 6, Opposition leaders marched from Parliament to the EC and were stopped; Rahul Gandhi held an eight-hour sit-in. On October 12, they held a “March for Democracy” and filed a joint petition in the Supreme Court against the SIR.
Where will the November 1 rally be held?
The INDIA bloc’s rally against the CEC is planned for Delhi on November 1, with tonight’s meeting set to review its preparations.
Keep watching this space for updates as the INDIA bloc finalises its next moves this evening.
