The INDIA bloc has announced a nationwide “Save Democracy March” from October 2 to 8, an October 6 march to the Election Commission, a presidential representation and five rallies over concerns about electoral processes and voter rights.
The INDIA bloc has announced a coordinated nationwide protest programme against the Election Commission, including district-level “Save Democracy March” demonstrations from October 2 to 8, a march by Opposition MPs to the poll panel on October 6 and a planned representation before President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced the protest roadmap after a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders in New Delhi on Wednesday. The alliance’s programme comes amid an ongoing political dispute over the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
According to Kharge, “Save Democracy Marches” will be organised in every district between October 2 and October 8. Demonstrations are expected to be held outside District Magistrate offices, with Opposition parties planning to explain to the public what they describe as irregularities in the electoral process.
The second major programme is scheduled for October 6, when all Opposition MPs are expected to march towards the Election Commission in Delhi. The INDIA bloc has said the action is intended to raise concerns over the electoral roll revision process and seek greater transparency in the functioning of the poll body.
Kharge also said INDIA bloc leaders would seek an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu during the second week of October. The leaders plan to submit a detailed representation outlining their concerns regarding the electoral process and what they allege are actions affecting Opposition parties and voters.
The alliance has further announced five major rallies across the country during October and November. The dates and venues for these rallies are yet to be finalised. Kharge said the rallies would focus on voter rights and the Opposition’s allegations concerning electoral irregularities. A major rally has specifically been planned in New Delhi on November 1.
Another part of the INDIA bloc’s strategy involves the judiciary. Kharge said alliance leaders would appeal to the Supreme Court to expedite pending cases related to SIR and other matters concerning alleged electoral irregularities.
The Opposition has also raised questions about the Election Commission’s approach to electoral roll revisions. The bloc has demanded greater transparency in the voter-list changes and safeguards to ensure that eligible voters are not excluded. Reports on the INDIA bloc meeting said the alliance also discussed demands concerning the SIR exercise and the restoration of earlier electoral rolls.
Kharge referred to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s repeated allegations concerning “vote chori” and said the issue had been raised by other Opposition leaders as well. These are allegations made by the Opposition; the Election Commission and the BJP have disputed the Opposition’s characterisation of the electoral process. The Election Commission has defended its actions as lawful, while BJP leaders have criticised the INDIA bloc’s campaign.
The announcement marks a coordinated expansion of the INDIA bloc’s campaign from parliamentary criticism to street-level demonstrations, public rallies, engagement with constitutional authorities and legal intervention. The Opposition parties are seeking to use the campaign to draw public attention to their concerns over electoral rolls, voter rights and the functioning of the Election Commission.
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The INDIA bloc’s programme will begin with district-level demonstrations on October 2 and continue with the proposed march to the Election Commission on October 6. The alliance is expected to announce further details of the five rallies and other programmes as dates and venues are finalised.
