INDIA block will start a nationwide campaign against CEC, SIR from 2nd October

INDIA Bloc on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) announced a statewide campaign starting Friday (October 2, 2026) with a phased agitation plan that includes protest marches at district headquarters, public meetings, a march to the Election Commission and a joint appeal to the Chief Justice for expedited hearing in cases related to alleged rigging elections.

The decisions were taken after a three and a half hour meeting attended by 33 leaders from 19 political parties. Independent MP and senior Supreme Court lawyer Kapil Sibal was also present.

Mr. Sibal recommended that the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Tenure) Act, 2023 be challenged legally. The legislation states that “notwithstanding any other law, no court may institute or continue a civil or criminal proceeding against a person who is or has been a CEC/EC for an act, thing or word committed, done or spoken in the performance of an official duty or function”, extending blanket immunity to CECs. In view of this, he suggested that legal action should be taken against other Election Commission officials like Seema Khanna, Director General (IT) ECI, who were involved in introducing the Special Intensive Review (SIR). Most of the leaders supported the proposal.

However, there was apprehension among some leaders about the Supreme Court’s stance. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who joined the meeting virtually, cited the Chief Justice of India’s observation while rejecting an early hearing of the SIR pleas in West Bengal. The CJI remarked, “It is only a by-election.”

There was no direct mention of the Janata Party cockroaches being involved. However, the leaders agreed that the bloc should engage with civil society and secular parties outside the INDIA alliance.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the leaders had agreed to fight together. “All have unanimously promised to fight together,” he said at a press conference attended by top leaders of the INDIA bloc.

Mr Kharge alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had made the Election Commission act as a “puppet”. “These people only win elections by stealing votes. When our people oppose it, they are harassed,” he said. He claimed that the BJP won the election because it was “stolen”.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that democratic institutions were being attacked by the BJP, Mr. Modi, Mr. Shah and CEC Gyanesh Kumar. “We will not take it lightly,” he said, adding: “We will ensure this personal commitment from all leaders of INDIA – people who have destroyed Indian democracy will be punished, no matter how old or who they are. Indian democracy is bigger than any individual in this country.”

“Save Democracy” marches.

The bloc will hold “Save Democracy” marches in each district between October 2 and 8. The proposal, which was moved by CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, initially faced opposition from some leaders citing political interests of the state. Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi eventually supported it.

On October 6, opposition representatives will go on a march to the headquarters of the electoral commission. Mr. Kharge said some leaders wanted to hold the march on Wednesday itself, though others suggested a later date so that all MPs could participate.

The leaders will also seek a meeting with the president to brief her on the “constitutional obstacles created by the government.” During the meeting, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern that such requests were often rejected or that the President’s office limited the size of the delegation.

The INDIA bloc will also hold five rallies across the country during October and November, including one in Delhi on November 1.

DMK among the absentees

Notable absentees included the DMK, which refused to share the stage with the Congress after the Congress switched its support to the TVK after the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav skipped the meeting due to the Rajya Sabha polls in his state. JMM chief and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren joined the meeting virtually.

The parties represented at the meeting included Congress, Samajwadi Party, Mamata All India Trinamool Congress, NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD, CPI(M), CPI, National Conference, PDP, JMM, CPI(ML), IUML, KC(M), MDMK, VCK, RSP, KC(J) and AIFB.

Published – 30 Sep 2026 22:18 IST