INDIA bloc leaders' virtual meeting to discuss roadmap for 'vote chori' protests deferred

INDIA bloc leaders' virtual meeting to discuss roadmap for 'vote chori' protests deferred left File picture of INDIA bloc leaders after a meeting at Rahul Gandhi's residence Sushil Kumar Verma Sushil Kumar Verma https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/98njqt/article71610858.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/RAHIL%20MEETING%205.JPG SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA NEW DELHI, 13/10/2026: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and other INDIA BLOC leader addressing the media after a Meeting at Rahul Gandhis residence , New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma / The Hindu

The INDIA bloc leaders were to brainstorm on charting out the roadmap of protests, review the preparations for the November 1 rally and discuss ways to corner the government over the 'vote chori' issue

New Delhi

The proposed virtual meeting of the INDIA Bloc on the future course of action on protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has been deferred, sources said.

The meeting was to be held on Thursday evening (October 22, 2026) to deliberate on the roadmap for protests over the "vote chori" issue and on ways to press for the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation, the sources added.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was to chair the meeting, which will also review the preparations for the INDIA bloc's rally in Delhi on November 1, they said.

Economist Prabhakar to join Dipke, Prakash Raj, Neha at nationwide anti-SIR protests on October 23 Economist Prabhakar to join Dipke, Prakash Raj, Neha at nationwide anti-SIR protests on October 23 The People Against SIR alliance has called for marches across the country, demanding the scrapping of the electoral roll revision exercise and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar Economist Prabhakar to join Dipke, Prakash Raj, Neha at nationwide anti-SIR protests on October 23 storyline 1

The INDIA bloc leaders were to brainstorm on charting out the roadmap of protests, review the preparations for the November 1 rally and discuss ways to corner the government over the 'vote chori' issue soon during the meeting.

There was no intimation about the next meeting of the grouping.

The meeting also assumes significance as it comes at a time when there is speculation over the government convening Parliament to pass a Constitution amendment bill, involving delimitation, for the early implementation of the Women's Reservation Act.

Last week, the protests over the "vote theft" charge reached the Supreme Court's doorstep.

BJD's dilemma of being anti-BJP and anti-Congress BJD's dilemma of being anti-BJP and anti-Congress The dilemma resurfaced on October 7, 2026, when the BJD clarified that it neither supported nor opposed the Odisha bandh called by INDIA bloc parties, maintaining that it had taken an independent and principled position Analysis BJD's dilemma of being anti-BJP and anti-Congress storyline 1

On October 12, opposition stalwarts, joined by activists and civil society members, took part in a "March for Democracy" along a heavily barricaded route and filed a joint petition against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging poll irregularities, in a major show of strength in the national capital.

INDIA bloc's 'March for Democracy' sees a massive mobilisation effort by Congress storyline 1

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also hosted INDIA bloc leaders for tea at his home on October 13. After the meeting, the opposition bloc vowed to continue resisting and take the "vote chori" fight to its logical conclusion.