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The opposition has also sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu, warning that “all options are on the table” if it does not receive a response.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders stage a protest at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat.
The INDIA bloc is preparing to step up its agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged “vote chori”, with opposition MPs set to meet in Delhi on Friday to decide their next move.
The MPs will gather at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan at 3 pm, sources said on Thursday. The meeting could be followed by a fourth consecutive day of protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The opposition has also sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu, warning that “all options are on the table” if it does not receive a response.
INDIA Bloc Awaits President’s Response
Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said the bloc first wrote to the President on October 2. After Rashtrapati Bhavan sought the names of leaders attending the proposed meeting, a fresh request was sent on October 5.
“We submitted the request again on October 5, along with the names, seeking an appointment on October 7, 8 or 9,” Venugopal said.
“So far, we have received no response. We will wait until Friday,” he added.
Sources said possible venues for further protests include Seva Teerth, Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Vice-President’s residence and the residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Protests Continue Over Voter Roll Revision
On Thursday, opposition leaders staged a sit-in at Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial, accusing the BJP leadership and the Chief Election Commissioner of conspiring to carry out “vote chori”. The allegations have been made by the opposition and remain contested.
The sit-in followed two days of protests during which several leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, were detained by police. INDIA bloc leaders have vowed to continue their agitation until Kumar resigns.
The campaign has gained momentum following a The Indian Express report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections at least 14 times over the past 10 months, mainly on decisions linked to the SIR exercise.
The Election Commission had asserted that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations in any institution and that all its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.
(With inputs from PTI)
Quick Answers
Ask News18The protests were sparked by allegations of “vote chori” and widespread irregularities concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, intensified by a report that fellow election commissioners had recorded objections multiple times over a ten-month period.
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October 09, 2026, 04:38 IST
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