INDIA bloc leaders on Tuesday stepped up their protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Rahul Gandhi invited Opposition MPs, civil society members and student groups for a meeting at his Delhi residence. The meeting followed a joint press conference by Opposition leaders. On Monday, several leaders, including Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav, joined a ‘March for Democracy’ in Delhi. They later submitted a petition to the Supreme Court, alleging poll irregularities. The petition named the Election Commission and its senior officials as respondents.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described India as the “mother of democracy”, citing its media diversity, linguistic variety and open debates at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi.   Modi said India has over 100 languages, around 80,000 registered newspapers and publications, and more than 1,000 satellite TV channels. He also pointed to over 500 million YouTube users and more than 500 million Instagram users as signs of the country’s digital reach.   On the economy, Modi cited 7.8% growth in the April-June quarter, saying India aimed to grow with the world and promote shared prosperity. (PC: HT)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has invited INDIA bloc leaders, civil society members and student organisations for a high tea at his Delhi residence at 4 pm on Tuesday, a day after the Opposition’s march to the Supreme Court over alleged electoral irregularities. The Opposition is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and challenging the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. INDIA bloc leaders have filed a joint petition naming the CEC and 2 Election Commissioners. The move follows Chief Justice Surya Kant’s refusal to meet Opposition leaders, citing the matter as sub judice. (PC: India Today)

The Kerala Congress has removed the staff member responsible for a controversial social media post targeting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The post, published on the party’s official X account, demanded his resignation after he said law and order was not his responsibility. It was deleted following criticism from the BJP and others. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph said the post was published without the knowledge or approval of the state leadership. He clarified that the party respects judicial impartiality and said the committee would examine how the message was posted. (PC: HT)

The Supreme Court Registry has flagged 14 defects in a petition filed by Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders against the Election Commission of India over alleged electoral irregularities. The objections include missing documents, incomplete authorisations for 9 petitioners, a blurred copy of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s identity card and a court fee shortfall of Rs 220. The case can be listed for hearing after the defects are corrected. The petition seeks an interim stay on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and 10 forms of relief over the poll process. Opposition leaders have also demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. (PC: News18)

The Supreme Court registry has flagged 14 defects in a joint petition filed by Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc leaders challenging the Election Commission’s decisions on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The objections include a ₹220 shortfall in court fees, missing authorisations from 9 petitioners and an unclear photocopy of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s identity card. Other issues include missing documents, illegible text, small fonts and page-numbering errors. The petition seeks 10 forms of relief, including an independent audit of electoral rolls and a stay on the SIR. The petitioners must address these defects before the case can be listed for hearing. (PC: NDTV)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc leaders have approached the Supreme Court seeking an interim stay on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Their petition lists 10 demands, including a judicial review of Election Commission decisions and an independent audit of voter lists and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).   The plea seeks disclosure of records related to the revision, publication of deleted voters’ names with reasons, and action against officials over alleged violations. It also demands that no eligible voter be removed without proper notice and an opportunity to be heard. The Supreme Court has yet to issue directions on these demands. (PC: News18)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on October 12 claimed that around 200 government officials, including those from the ED, CBI and MEA, were sharing information with the Opposition. He did not disclose their identities or provide evidence publicly. At a press conference in New Delhi, Gandhi demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral irregularities. He also signalled solidarity with youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters, saying there was only one movement against the CEC. Gandhi criticised Delhi’s security restrictions and alleged that police treated opposition protesters differently from BJP and RSS workers. These claims remain unverified. (PC: India Today)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached the Supreme Court on October 12 after Delhi Police stopped the INDIA bloc’s march towards the court over alleged electoral irregularities. The procession, led by Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, was halted at Bhagwan Das Road, around 600 metres from the court. However, Gandhi’s legal team filed a petition challenging alleged voter deletions during the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The petition names 11 Opposition leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav and Saugata Roy. The plea also raises concerns over restrictions on peaceful protests. (PC: HT)

Rahul Gandhi and 10 other INDIA bloc leaders filed a petition in the Supreme Court on October 12, challenging alleged voter deletions and irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The petition also raises concerns over restrictions on peaceful protests. The move followed a ‘March for Democracy’ led by Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Delhi Police stopped the procession at barricades on Bhagwan Dass Road as leaders headed towards the Supreme Court. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the petition addressed both the SIR exercise and protest restrictions. The hearing date remains unknown. (PC: India Today)