INDIA bloc meet highlights: INDIA bloc to march to EC on October 6 against poll body, says Kharge

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INDIA bloc meet LIVE: The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday extended the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya, with the final voter lists now set to be published on October 16 and October 26, respectively.

The final electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh were earlier scheduled to be published on October 9, while Meghalaya's final voter list was scheduled for publication on October 21.

The decision was taken at a meeting attended by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi at Nirvachan Sadan, the poll panel said in a statement.

In Andhra Pradesh, the notice phase and disposal of claims and objections, which began on July 31, will now continue until October 10. The final electoral roll will subsequently be published on October 16.

For Meghalaya, the Election Commission has fixed October 26 as the date for publication of the final electoral roll. The poll panel's statement did not specify a revised deadline for the disposal of claims and objections in the state.

The Election Commission also did not provide a reason for extending the SIR schedule in either state.

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: A group of social activists and student leaders on Wednesday urged people to join a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, against the functioning of the Election Commission and to demand the "impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The group, which includes AISA president Neha Bora, advocate Prashant Bhushan and RJD MP Manoj Jha, said the protest would be held at 11 am on October 2.

Addressing a press conference, the organisers raised concerns over the Election Commission's handling of electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. They alleged that the manner in which the exercise was being conducted had raised questions over the protection of citizens' voting rights.

Bora, who had earlier gone on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar during an agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the NEET paper leak issue, said the organisers had informed the Parliament Street police about the proposed gathering.

She said the police had been provided details regarding the expected turnout, timing of the protest and the people responsible for organising the event.

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday told INDIA bloc leaders that the mood in the country was against the BJP government and urged all Opposition parties to jointly protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Thackeray participated virtually in the INDIA bloc meeting held in New Delhi, where Opposition leaders discussed concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged irregularities in the electoral process.

He insisted that Kumar, who has faced criticism from Opposition parties over the SIR exercise, should either resign immediately or be removed from his post.

"The mood of the people in the country is against the (BJP) government. Parties are staging protests against the Election Commission separately. All Opposition parties must stage the protests together," a Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary quoted Thackeray as saying at the meeting.

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: A full-bench meeting of the Election Commission is underway, marking the second meeting of the poll panel within a week amid the recent controversy. The meeting is focused on discussions around the implementation of the changes announced by the Election Commission on Saturday.

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that irregularities were taking place across the country, with West Bengal witnessing them to a greater extent, following a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders.

Banerjee said the concerns raised by political parties about the electoral process were now also being voiced by members of the Election Commission.

“The remaining 2 Election Commissioners have stated it, so there must be some truth in their words. Earlier, only political parties used to say it; today, the Election Commissioners are saying it... Irregularities are happening everywhere, more so in Bengal,” Banerjee said after the meeting.

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said INDIA bloc leaders have appealed to the Supreme Court to expedite cases related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and alleged electoral malpractices.

Asked about a return to ballot papers instead of EVMs, Kharge said there was unanimous support among the leaders for conducting all elections using ballots. He also said laws framed by the "chori government" in power should be annulled.

Kharge said some leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM chief Hemant Soren, participated in the meeting online.

"With unanimity, everyone vowed to fight together," he said.

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: Kharge announced a nationwide protest programme, saying INDIA bloc leaders would hold a "Save Democracy March" at the district level from October 2 to October 8.

He also said Opposition MPs would march to the Election Commission on October 6, while Opposition leaders would meet President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October to raise concerns over alleged institutional issues.

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: After the INDIA bloc coordination meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced a series of protests against the Election Commission and alleged threats to democratic institutions, saying the Opposition parties would work together in a coordinated manner.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Kharge said the discussions lasted nearly three-and-a-half hours, with leaders from various parties putting forward their views and agreeing to jointly take up the issues.

"Discussions continued for around three-and-a-half hours. Many leaders expressed their views. Uddhav Thackeray ji and Hemant Soren ji also shared their views. Everyone has decided to fight together in a united manner," Kharge said.

Kharge alleged that democratic institutions were being weakened and accused the Election Commission of being influenced by the government. He further alleged that elections were being won through unfair means and claimed that the functioning of Opposition parties was being disrupted.

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said all Opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission on October 6 to protest against the poll body.

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: NCP-SCP leader Jitendra Awhad said the INDIA bloc meeting discussed growing concerns over EVMs and changes to electoral rolls, including the deletion of voters' names. He said the meeting also discussed allegations about the Election Commission's role in ensuring the victory of those in power in Bengal and Bihar.

"There is a lot of anger among people regarding EVMs. Changes made to the electoral rolls, the way voters' names were deleted was discussed... The discussion also covered how the Election Commission worked to ensure victory for those in power in Bengal and Bihar...I have been saying for a long time that any human-made machine can be tampered with, can be hacked. Human-made machines are the most dangerous thing in any electoral system..."

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: Senior leaders from the INDIA bloc met on Wednesday amid the recent row regarding the Election Commission of India.

Doubling down on its ‘vote theft’ claim, a post from Congress accused the Modi government and CEC Gyanesh Kumar of “murdering democracy.”

“The duo of Gyanesh and Modi is snatching away the voting rights of crores of citizens. Democracy is being murdered through 'vote theft'. A meeting of the INDIA alliance was held today regarding this very matter,” wrote the official Congress account on X.

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: On INDIA alliance meeting, Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya says, “The INDI alliance has already fallen apart and there is no such thing as unity among them. The entire country has witnessed the spectacle of this 'Bhanumati ka kunba' disintegrating. Whatever demands they may have, let them make them, but when they get defeated in elections, they blame the Election Commission and EVMs, and when they win, they say the BJP's popularity has declined. The public will give a befitting reply to this.”

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: As the INDIA bloc meeting was underway in Delhi, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday said that the meeting was called over alleged irregularities in the election process and concerns raised by two Election Commissioners.

Speaking to reporters, Yadav said the meeting was convened to discuss alleged irregularities during elections and the concerns raised by two Election Commissioners.

"The meeting is regarding the way irregularities happened throughout the election and the issues that have been raised by two Election Commissioners," Yadav said, news agency ANI reported.

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: “United in purpose. UNITED FOR INDIA,” said Trinamool Congress' X account.

INDIA bloc meet LIVE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in his opening remarks at INDIA bloc meet laid down 6 key demands

- First, the pre-SIR electoral roll to be used for future elections. Complete transparency in every electoral-roll revision, including constituency-wise and booth-wise information on additions, deletions and corrections.

- Second, due notice, reasons and an effective appeal mechanism before any legitimate voter is removed from the roll.

- Third, protection of eligible voters from exclusion caused by administrative failures, inadequate documentation or lack of awareness.

- Fourth, Voting through Ballots instead of EVMs.

- Fifth, simple and accessible voter registration for our young citizens, particularly first-time voters.

- Sixth, institutional accountability and an Election Commission that commands confidence across the political spectrum.

INDIA bloc meeting LIVE: On INDIA bloc meeting, TMC MP Sougata Roy says, "This is a very important meeting. The initiative to gather all opposition parties for this meeting was taken by Mamata Banerjee. Many opposition parties are coming together. If they unite and bring a resolution against Gyanesh Kumar, it would be good..."

INDIA bloc meeting LIVE: “Across the country, citizens and political parties are raising grave concerns about functioning of the Election Commission. For years, we have demanded answers on EVMs. We have raised questions about voter-list manipulation and unexplained changes in electoral rolls. Rahul ji showed it with proof that it was done in Mahadevpura, Aland, Haryana and Maharashtra. Instead of acknowledging our complaints the Commission looked the other way. In a democracy, institutions must earn public trust through transparency,” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in his opening remarks at INDIA bloc meet.

INDIA bloc meeting LIVE: As the INDIA bloc meet is underway, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in his opening remarks stressed that every citizen must have an equal voice in choosing the government of this country, adding that this very principle is facing a “serious threat.”

“Members of the Constituent Assembly very well asserted that democracy has meaning only when the vote of every eligible citizen carries equal value. That is why the principle of one person, one vote, one value lies at the heart of our Republic. Today, that principle is facing a serious threat.”

INDIA bloc meeting LIVE: The INDIA bloc meeting is underway at the Constitutional Club of India in New Delhi. The parties participating are INC, SP, AITC, NCP(SP), SS (UBT), RJD, CPM, CPI, JKNC, JKPDP, JMM, CPI-ML, IUML, KC(M), MDMK, VCK, RSP, KC(J) and AIFB.

“These and other Opposition parties stand united to protect the Constitution of India from repeated assaults of the Modi Govt - most recently its Vote Chori gameplan through the ECI to remain in power,” Congress general gecretary in-charge communications, said on X.

INDIA bloc meeting LIVE: Ahead of the INDIA bloc meeting on Wednesday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh said his party would not attend the meeting, pointing out that AAP is not part of the opposition alliance, news agency ANI reported.

“Since AAP is not part of the INDIA alliance, the question of attending the meeting does not arise,” Singh said.

INDIA bloc meeting LIVE: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah arrived at Constitution Club of India to attend INDIA Bloc meeting.

INDIA bloc meeting LIVE: Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said the INDIA bloc was unwilling to accept Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, as opposition parties met in New Delhi to discuss their strategy over the controversy surrounding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Chouhan pointed to the absence of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav from the meeting and noted that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray was joining virtually instead of attending in person, news agency ANI reported.

“The INDIA alliance had already fallen apart before the meeting. Akhilesh ji is busy elsewhere. Uddhav ji will join virtually, not in person. INDIA bloc does not accept the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. How can the country accept someone as a leader whom the Congress party itself does not recognise as one?” Chouhan told reporters.

INDIA bloc meeting LIVE: Top leaders of the INDIA bloc arrived at the Constitutional Club of India on Wednesday to finalise an action plan for a joint agitation over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise and to press for CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.

A draft notice for a fresh bid to move a motion in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) was ready and would be deliberated upon for approval at the meeting, news agency PTI reported citing sources.

INDIA bloc meeting LIVE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge arrives at Constitution Club of India to attend INDIA Bloc meeting.