INDIA bloc to launch nationwide campaign against CEC, SIR from October 2

The INDIA bloc on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) announced a nationwide campaign beginning Friday (October 2, 2026) with a graded 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 hearings in cases related to the SIR and alleged electoral “malpractices”.

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 also participated.

Mr. Sibal recommended that the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, should be legally challenged. The legislation states that “notwithstanding other laws, no court could entertain or continue civil or criminal proceedings against a person who was or had been CEC/EC for an act, thing, or word committed, done, or spoken while discharging official duty or function,” extending a blanket immunity to the CEC. In view of this, he suggested that legal action be taken against other Election Commission officials such as Seema Khanna, Director General (IT) at ECI, who have been instrumental in bringing Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Most leaders backed the proposal.

There was, however, 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 declining an early hearing of pleas related to the SIR in West Bengal. The CJI had observed, “These are only by-elections.”

There was no direct reference to involving the Cockroach Janata Party. However, 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. “With unanimity, everyone vowed to fight together,” he said at a press conference attended by top INDIA bloc leaders.

Mr. Kharge alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were making the Election Commission function like a “puppet”. “These people are only winning elections by stealing votes. When our people oppose this, they are harassed,” he said. He alleged that the BJP was winning elections because they were “stolen”.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that democratic institutions were under attack from the BJP, Mr. Modi, Mr. Shah and CEC Gyanesh Kumar. “We are not going to take it lying down,” he said, adding, “We are going to ensure this personal commitment of all INDIA leaders—people who have destroyed Indian democracy are punished, no matter how senior they are and who they are. Indian democracy is bigger than every single person in this country.”

“Save Democracy” marches

The bloc will hold “Save Democracy” marches in every district between October 2 and 8. The proposal, made by CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, initially faced resistance from some leaders citing State-specific political concerns. Senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, eventually backed it.

On October 6, Opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission headquarters. Mr. Kharge said some leaders had wanted to hold the march on Wednesday itself, though others suggested a later date to allow all MPs to participate.

The leaders will also seek an appointment with the President to brief her on the “constitutional hurdles being created by the government”. During the meeting, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern that such requests were often declined or 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 absentees

Notable absentees included the DMK, which has refused to share a stage with Congress after the latter switched its support to the TVK following the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav skipped the meeting because of 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 the 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.