CEC row: CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby pushes for broader opposition unity, demands INDIA Bloc-Plus

MABaby, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary MA Baby on Saturday called for the formation of an ‘INDIA Bloc-Plus’ – a broader coalition of opposition parties and civil society organizations – in opposition to what he described as “abuse” of power by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar with the alleged support of the BJP leadership.

Mr Baba’s remarks in Thiruvananthapuram came on the heels of reports that he had spoken to Mamata’s All-India Trinamool Congress chief and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as part of building a broader opposition framework at the national level. The INDIA Bloc was expected to meet on September 30 in New Delhi to discuss, he said.

Mr Baby said Indian politics was going through “critical moments”. Much of how the CEC abused its power had been exposed, he said. The INDIA bloc has a role to play in building resistance. “But it should be INDIA Bloc-Plus; that’s the entire opposition that should come. You should take everyone on board, including civil society, including new political forces like the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP),” he said.

Mr. Baby said the revelation showed how a “fundamental, democratic and transparent task” (Special Intensive Review of Voters’ List) to be carried out by the Election Commission was practically subverted by the Central Election Commission, despite the reservations and objections of his colleagues. “But it’s not just whether he is forced to resign, but with whose support he has done illegal things. They should also be held accountable,” Mr Baby said.

Mr. Baby said he wrote to Ms. Banerjee as part of reaching out to various opposition parties across the country. He said he and Ms Banerjee discussed the “state of affairs” in the country and how the EC had been “hijacked” by the ruling party.

“She told me that she is not allowed to go out. She is being denied her democratic rights, to mix with people. She says that it is very difficult to organize any protest program in West Bengal under the BJP government.”

Published – 27 Sep 2026 01:19 IST