Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray led a joint march in Mumbai on Sunday demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Virat Garjana Morcha began at Metro Cinema and moved towards the BMC headquarters, with Congress and NCP (SP) leaders joining. The protesters allege irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Raj Thackeray demanded that SIR be cancelled in Maharashtra and elections be held on ballot papers. Uddhav Thackeray alleged large-scale deletions of voters nationwide. The march came two days after a Cockroach Janta Party protest in the city. (PC: India Today)

The UK government believes Iran may have played a role in an incident near RAF Fairford that led to the arrest of five men, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said. Speaking to the BBC, Burnham cited “strong indications” but provided no further details, stressing that the investigation remains ongoing. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the allegation, accusing the UK leader of pursuing the wrong lead. The five British nationals, aged between 23 and 25, were released on bail under strict conditions. Police said searches of suspicious vans found petrol but no explosive devices. (PC: BBC)

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s personal relationship with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi remains intact despite political differences between their parties, a Hindustan Times report said on October 1. At an INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi, Mamata presented Sonia with a special stole and shared the stage with her at a press conference. Mamata criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for action over alleged electoral irregularities in West Bengal. She also praised Rahul Gandhi’s campaign against alleged vote theft. Rahul stressed the need for opposition unity, while Sonia supported proposals for ground-level action and outreach. (PC: HT)

The INDIA bloc has announced a series of protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. District-level “Save Democracy” marches will be held from October 2 to 8. Opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission on October 6. INDIA bloc leaders also plan to seek a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October. The alliance will hold five major rallies, including a large rally in Delhi on November 1. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the protests will raise concerns about voter lists and the Election Commission. The Election Commission has not endorsed the opposition's allegations.

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)