INDIA Bloc Leaders Protest at Rajghat, Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Removal; Vow to Continue Agitation

Opposition leaders belonging to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) staged a peaceful protest at Rajghat in New Delhi on Thursday, October 8, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of “vote chori” and irregularities in the electoral process.

The demonstration marked the third consecutive day of protests by Opposition leaders. At Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial, the leaders paid floral tributes and offered prayers, calling on the government to act on their concerns regarding electoral transparency and voters’ rights.

Kharge Hosts Lunch Meeting for Opposition Leaders

Before the Rajghat demonstration, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted a lunch for INDIA bloc leaders and Members of Parliament at a restaurant in Connaught Place. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and representatives of other Opposition parties participated in the gathering.

The meeting highlighted coordination among Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), as leaders discussed their continuing campaign against the Chief Election Commissioner.

Protest Follows Two Days of Confrontations

The Rajghat demonstration followed two days of confrontations with Delhi Police. Earlier attempts by Opposition leaders to march towards the Election Commission’s office and assemble at designated protest locations had been obstructed, with several leaders and workers detained during the demonstrations.

On Thursday, the leaders were able to reach Rajghat and hold a peaceful sit-in. They reiterated that their agitation would continue until their demands concerning the Chief Election Commissioner were addressed.

Opposition Raises Electoral Transparency Concerns

The Opposition’s campaign centres on allegations of irregularities in electoral rolls and concerns about the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Opposition leaders have questioned the handling of voter-list changes and demanded accountability from the poll panel.

These allegations remain the Opposition’s claims and should not be treated as established proof of deliberate electoral manipulation. The dispute has intensified the political confrontation between the INDIA bloc and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

INDIA Bloc Says Protest Will Continue

Opposition leaders said the agitation would continue beyond the Rajghat demonstration. Their next steps were expected to include further collective action to press their demands and draw attention to electoral transparency.

The protest also served as a platform for Opposition parties to demonstrate coordination amid their criticism of the Election Commission. The developments keep the debate over voter rolls, the poll panel’s functioning and institutional accountability at the centre of national political discussion.