The INDIA bloc is set to reduce its daily protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls during the festive season. The decision follows 5 consecutive protest marches in Delhi and a fresh petition in the Supreme Court. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the opposition’s campaign would continue, hinting at a possible surprise move. Leaders are considering intermittent demonstrations while maintaining pressure on the Election Commission. The alliance also plans to involve civil society groups and student organisations to expand its campaign beyond political parties.

All India Students Association (AISA) president Neha Bora, a prominent face of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, said on Tuesday that the BJP had united its critics by repeatedly labelling them “anti-national”, “Dimagi Naxals” and members of the “tukde-tukde gang”. Speaking to India Today TV, Bora argued that these labels had brought together people across political and social groups. She said protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls had united students, opposition parties and ordinary citizens concerned about democracy and voting rights. Bora said the agitation would continue until Kumar was removed and the SIR exercise was halted completely.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday hit back at Rahul Gandhi over allegations of voter list irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Shah said Congress had been losing elections for decades, even before the SIR process began after 2024. He cited the party’s defeats in West Bengal, Tripura and Gujarat. Shah also urged Gandhi to review the Congress’s election record. His remarks came after BJP victories in Gujarat’s civic polls. Meanwhile, Gandhi vowed to continue protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding action over alleged SIR irregularities and the protection of voting rights.  

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged flaws in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. “He doesn’t have constitutional protection,” Tharoor said, adding that the Opposition was preparing articles of impeachment to seek Kumar’s removal. He alleged that the SIR process had led to wrongful voter deletions. Tharoor called for the exercise to be suspended and demanded a review of the software used. He also sought the restoration of deleted voter names. He said the Election Commission must ensure free and fair elections.  

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)