INDIA bloc's united front amid SIR row, announces 'Save Democracy' march from Oct 2

INDIA bloc announces 'Save Democracy' march from Oct 2 in protest against Gyanesh Kumar amid EC SIR rowNew Delhi,Sep 30, 2026 14:40 IST“We’re very much together.” With that message, the INDIA bloc on Wednesday sought to put to rest questions over its unity as opposition parties announced a week-long ‘Save Democracy’ march from October 2 to 8 and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced the programme after an INDIA bloc leaders’ meeting, saying opposition parties would hold protests at DM offices from October 2 to 8. On October 6, all opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission, he said.The bloc will also seek an appointment with the President in the second week of October to apprise her of what Kharge described as the manner in which institutions are being “taken over”.The announcement came amid the row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and dissent report, with opposition parties raising concerns over the exercise and demanding action against the Election Commission. At a joint press briefing following the meeting, Kharge said all parties had agreed to fight the issue together. “All the parties spoke about fighting this battle unitedly,” he said.Asked whether the decision was a collective one and whether the INDIA bloc remained united on the issue, Mamata All India Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said, “India bloc is very much together.” Kharge also targeted the Election Commission, alleging that two or three individuals within the poll panel were being used as “pawns” and claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were manipulating them “like puppets”.The opposition alliance also outlined a six-point decision taken during the meeting, including the planned protests and march against the Election Commission.This is a developing story. It will be updated.- Ends