New Delhi, September 30: Leaders of the INDIA bloc on Wednesday finalised a joint action plan over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including rallies and “Save Democracy” marches across the country.
The decision was taken at a meeting of opposition leaders that lasted around three-and-a-half hours and was attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and NCP(SP) MP Supriya Sule, among others.
Kharge said opposition parties would organise “Save Democracy” marches from October 2 to 8, involving young people and NGOs, along with demonstrations outside district magistrates’ offices.
He announced that all opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission on October 6 to raise their concerns over the electoral roll revision exercise.
Opposition leaders are also expected to seek an appointment with the President of India and submit a representation in the second week of October.
Kharge said the INDIA bloc had also discussed the issue of ballot papers versus electronic voting machines (EVMs) and claimed that the parties present supported a return to ballot-paper voting.
The opposition alliance also decided to hold five major rallies, with their dates and venues to be announced later.
Kharge urged the Supreme Court to expedite cases related to SIR and alleged electoral irregularities.
Rahul Gandhi said opposition parties would continue their campaign over what they described as concerns regarding the electoral process and democratic institutions.
Mamata Banerjee also criticised the Election Commission over the SIR issue and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The meeting was attended by representatives of several INDIA bloc parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, TMC, NCP(SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD, CPI(M), CPI, National Conference, PDP, JMM and CPI(ML), among others.
The meeting came days after reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on multiple occasions over decisions and orders concerning the SIR process.
The Election Commission has maintained that differing views are part of institutional deliberations and that its orders have full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.
