INDIA Bloc to stage major protests over vote-rigging claims, march to EC on October 6

The INDIA bloc opposition alliance plans to stage massive protests over what it describes as 'vote chori' (vote rigging), with a coordinated campaign beginning October 2 and culminating in a major march to the Election Commission office on October 6. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced that all opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission on that date. The protests will include demonstrations at district magistrate offices across the country from October 2 to October 8, with an additional rally scheduled for November 1, according to CPI MP P Sandosh.

Senior Congress leaders stated that opposition parties will seek an appointment with the President in the second week of October to present concerns about how institutions are allegedly being taken over. CPI(M-L) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya described the initiative as a "massive mass movement" starting from Gandhi Jayanti, with a one-week program planned in every district of the country.

Following the INDIA bloc meeting, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi emphasized that all alliance leaders were committed to ensuring accountability, stating that "Indian democracy is bigger than every single person in this country." He noted a growing sense of resistance, particularly among young people, against what he characterized as threats to democratic processes in India.