Resistance Will Continue': Rahul Gandhi Tells INDIA Bloc To 'Stay Ready To Mobilise In 24 Hours

Gandhi said the fight to restore democracy would continue even as the opposition awaits the Supreme Court’s response to its latest petition

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has called on INDIA bloc parties to remain prepared for fresh mobilisation at short notice, asserting that the opposition’s campaign against alleged electoral irregularities would continue irrespective of the role played by constitutional institutions.

Speaking after a meeting with opposition leaders, student representatives and civil society members at his residence on Tuesday, Gandhi said the fight to restore democracy would continue even as the opposition awaits the Supreme Court’s response to its latest petition. The meeting followed a protest march in Delhi on Monday against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

According to The Indian Express, Gandhi urged opposition parties to be ready to mobilise within 24 hours if required. He also said the opposition had “extreme respect" for the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of India and the judicial system, while emphasising that its political campaign would not depend entirely on institutional intervention.

“No matter what happens, no matter which institution plays a role or not, political resistance will continue, people’s resistance will continue and it will triumph," Gandhi said.

The latest mobilisation centres on the opposition’s allegations of irregularities in the electoral process and its demand for accountability from the Election Commission. Opposition parties have accused the poll body of failing to adequately address their concerns over voter deletions and the conduct of electoral roll revisions.

The SIR exercise has emerged as a major point of confrontation between the opposition and the BJP-led government. The Election Commission’s revision process is intended to scrutinise and update electoral rolls, but opposition parties have raised concerns about the possibility of eligible voters being excluded.

The INDIA bloc has sought Kumar’s removal and demanded that the SIR process be scrapped. The opposition has framed its campaign around alleged “vote chori", or theft of votes, allegations that have become a central political charge against the ruling establishment.

Gandhi reiterated his warning that those allegedly responsible would be held accountable. He named Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CEC Gyanesh Kumar while asserting that the political and legal campaign would continue. These were allegations made by the Congress leader, not findings established by a court.

On Monday, Gandhi and other opposition leaders also approached the Supreme Court over the controversy. A petition filed by Gandhi seeks an independent panel to examine the decision-making surrounding the SIR exercise. The opposition is now waiting for the court to hear the matter before deciding its next course of action.

Jantar Mantar Becomes Flashpoint

The opposition’s campaign has also expanded to include the government’s decision to withdraw Jantar Mantar’s designation as an authorised protest site. The move has drawn criticism from opposition parties, which argue that it restricts the space available for peaceful demonstrations.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav said the decision reflected the government’s fear, while Communist Party of India general secretary D Raja called for a campaign to “reclaim" Jantar Mantar.

Opposition leaders have agreed not to accept the removal of the site’s protest designation, with INDIA bloc events in the coming days expected to include attempts to march there. The CPI(M) has also criticised the decision, alleging that it weakens the right to peaceful protest.

At the meeting, Gandhi stressed that opposition parties were united and that the campaign should not be treated as a series of separate protests. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, RJD leaders, Left party representatives, Samajwadi Party leaders and Trinamool Congress MPs were among those present.

Sonia Gandhi reportedly urged leaders to keep the focus on ordinary people and ensure that demonstrations did not inconvenience them. Leaders also discussed taking protests to different parts of the country, although Rahul Gandhi was reported to have argued that sustained pressure in Delhi remained important.

November Rally At Ramlila Maidan?

The opposition is considering a joint rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan in the first week of November. According to The Indian Express, one proposal discussed at the meeting was to hold a mock Parliament session at the rally, symbolically demonstrating the opposition’s demand for action against the CEC. The idea has not been finalised.

Leaders also discussed inviting people whose names were allegedly deleted from electoral rolls during the SIR exercise to share their experiences at the proposed gathering.

The opposition has decided to assess its next steps after the Supreme Court hears its petition. For now, the issues of electoral roll revision and access to protest spaces have become rallying points for the INDIA bloc, which is seeking to sustain pressure on the government while keeping its campaign focused on electoral integrity and democratic rights.