The INDIA bloc on Wednesday announced a week-long nationwide ‘Save Democracy’ campaign from October 2 to 8 over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said protests would be held at district headquarters, while Opposition MPs would march to the Election Commission on October 6. The bloc also plans to meet President Droupadi Murmu in October to raise its concerns. Mamata Banerjee demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the poll body of electoral irregularities. Rahul Gandhi said Opposition parties would jointly defend the Constitution and continue their campaign against alleged vote theft. (PC: X)

Leaders of 19 opposition parties under the INDIA bloc began a meeting at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss electoral issues and their next course of action. The agenda includes the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, concerns over electronic voting machines (EVMs) and a proposed motion seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are among the key leaders attending the meeting. The parties are also discussing ways to coordinate their response to the issues and explore joint action in Parliament. (PC: X)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned party colleagues over their support for his “vote theft” campaign during a Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi on September 29, sources said. He reportedly said he had raised the issue for two years but initially received little support from party members. Gandhi also urged leaders to speak more firmly about electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. According to sources, some senior leaders proposed protests and rallies over the SIR process. However, opinions within the Congress remain divided over Gandhi’s allegations and the party’s approach to the issue. (PC: X)

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during the Congress Working Committee meeting on Tuesday. He accused the CEC of acting under pressure from the Modi government. Kharge also called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation on moral grounds.   The demands came amid controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Kharge called for greater transparency in voter data and an independent probe into serious irregularities. He also demanded that voters whose names are deleted should get information and a chance to appeal. The Election Commission has said internal differences are part of normal institutional discussions.

Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal told the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to directly demand Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation instead of targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Speaking at the Pratidin Conclave 2026 in New Delhi, Kejriwal said Kumar acted at “the behest of the boss” and added that the movement should seek Modi’s resignation. His remarks followed CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke’s call for nationwide protests on October 2 if Kumar did not resign. Dipke later said Mumbai Police denied permission for the planned protest and warned of a Jail Bharo Andolan. CJP members continue demanding Kumar’s resignation, while alleging irregularities in electoral rolls and questioning the Election Commission’s decisions.

The BJP on Sunday deployed 12 chief ministers to counter Rahul Gandhi’s allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a day before the Congress’s planned nationwide protests demanding his removal. BJP leaders accused Gandhi and the INDIA bloc of questioning the Election Commission’s impartiality and undermining constitutional institutions. The Congress has cited reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections to at least 14 decisions over 10 months. The Election Commission said its final decisions were unanimous. Meanwhile, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal held a virtual meeting with over 1,000 district party presidents ahead of Monday’s protests. (PC: NDTV)

A letter sent by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan concerned the functioning of a senior Deputy Election Commissioner, not Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a Hindustan Times report said on Sunday. Dated July 29, the letter reportedly raised concerns about an official handling election-related matters. Its contents have not been disclosed publicly and were described as classified by a person familiar with the matter. The Election Commission earlier clarified that the communication was not related to its policy decisions or IT division, but concerned the functioning of an officer on deputation to the poll panel. (PC: X)

The INDIA bloc is likely to hold a meeting on September 30 to discuss concerns over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, according to a News18 report. Opposition parties have stepped up their criticism of the poll panel following reports of disagreements among Election Commissioners over decisions related to the voter list revision process. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has urged Rahul Gandhi to convene a meeting soon. Opposition leaders are discussing a joint strategy and have demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal. The parties are also seeking a probe into the Election Commission’s functioning. (PC: X)

NDA allies Chirag Paswan and Upendra Kushwaha have sought clarification from the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asking it to dispel confusion among people. TDP leader Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu also called for transparency. The issue intensified as Opposition protests spread across the country. Delhi Police detained Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, CPI-ML(L) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, activist Yogendra Yadav and others during protests. Congress held demonstrations in several states, with police using water cannons and tear gas in some places. The protests follow reported objections by two Election Commissioners over electoral-roll processes and technology.

Congress workers staged nationwide protests on Friday demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with demonstrations reported in Delhi, Bihar, Assam, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. In Delhi, Indian Youth Congress members marched to Jantar Mantar and raised slogans against Kumar. In Kolkata, Congress workers marched from College Street towards the state Chief Electoral Officer’s office before being stopped by police. Protesters in Patna and Chandigarh faced water cannons, while police used tear gas in Manipur. Several Assam Congress leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi, were detained. The protests followed allegations concerning the Election Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and related decisions.