Opposition Alliance INDIA Unveils Action Plan Against Electoral Roll Revisions
INDIA Bloc's Strategic Meeting
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and others during the INDIA bloc meeting, on Wednesday. (Photo:PTI)
New Delhi, Sept 30: On Wednesday, the INDIA bloc finalized a comprehensive action plan to counter the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This initiative includes rallies, demonstrations, and 'Save Democracy' marches starting October 2, despite accusations from the BJP claiming the opposition alliance is falling apart.
The coalition also expressed support for reverting to ballot papers for elections. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated that all parties unanimously agreed on conducting elections via ballots rather than electronic voting machines (EVMs).
This resolution emerged from a three-and-a-half-hour meeting that saw participation from key leaders of the INDIA bloc, including Kharge, former Congress presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, and NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule.
During a joint press conference post-meeting, Kharge announced that 'Save Democracy' marches, involving youth and NGOs, would take place from October 2 to 8, with demonstrations planned outside district magistrates' offices.
On October 6, all opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission, while Leaders of Opposition will seek a meeting with the President in the second week of October to present their concerns regarding what Kharge termed the 'vote chori government.'
The bloc plans to organize five significant rallies, with specific dates and locations to be confirmed later, culminating in a major rally in Delhi on November 1.
Kharge also mentioned that the alliance has requested the Supreme Court to expedite cases related to SIR and alleged electoral misconduct.
Regarding the shift from EVMs to ballot papers, Kharge emphasized that all parties were '100 percent' in agreement and called for the repeal of laws established by the government concerning elections.
In response, the BJP dismissed the action plan, alleging internal discord within the INDIA bloc. Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan claimed the alliance was 'crumbling' and accused its members of rejecting Rahul Gandhi as their leader. He characterized the meeting as lacking vision and filled with frustration, labeling it as a preemptive excuse for potential electoral losses.
Chouhan further questioned the opposition's stance on SIR, asserting that an accurate voter list is vital for democracy. He raised concerns about the removal of deceased or duplicate voters and the inclusion of non-citizens.
The Congress party, however, asserted that the opposition remains united in defending the Constitution against what they perceive as ongoing attacks by the Modi government, including its alleged 'vote chori gameplan.'
Rahul Gandhi described the leaders of the INDIA bloc as 'collective defenders' of the Constitution, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of undermining the country's democratic framework.
This meeting occurred amidst heightened scrutiny of SIR, following a report by The Indian Express indicating that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on record at least 14 times over a span of 10 months regarding SIR-related decisions made without their knowledge or endorsement.
The Election Commission has asserted that differing opinions are typical in institutional discussions and that its directives are legally valid and adhere to established statutory protocols.