INDIA Bloc Prepares to Revive Protest Demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation; Leaders to Meet Today

Opposition parties are preparing to intensify their agitation following the conclusion of the festive season. Leaders of the INDIA bloc will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday evening to chalk out their future strategy for demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee is also expected to participate in the meeting.

Before Durga Puja, opposition parties had taken to the streets demanding the cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over allegations of “vote theft”. Protests in the national capital intensified as the Congress, along with Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other opposition leaders, launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission.

At the time, Rahul Gandhi had declared that the agitation would continue until Gyanesh Kumar resigned. However, the protests gradually lost momentum during Durga Puja and Navratri. The Cockroach Janata Party had also announced a temporary suspension of its agitation, bringing a relative lull to the opposition’s campaign.

Now, with the festive season over, opposition parties are keen to take to the streets once again. The virtual meeting has been convened primarily to determine the next course of action and formulate a strategy to intensify the movement.

According to sources, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge are expected to attend the meeting, along with Mamata Banerjee and other INDIA bloc leaders.

The opposition has already announced a ‘Save Democracy’ programme for November 1. INDIA bloc MPs are scheduled to march from Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan to the Election Commission’s office. Before the planned march, opposition leaders are looking to sharpen their campaign and step up the pressure on the poll body. The strategy for the upcoming agitation is expected to be a key point of discussion at Thursday’s meeting.

Earlier, on October 13, opposition leaders had attended a tea meeting at Rahul Gandhi’s residence at his invitation. It was reportedly during that meeting that they decided to continue their campaign against alleged “vote theft”.

The opposition has also filed a case in the Supreme Court over the issue. However, alongside pursuing legal remedies, opposition parties are seeking to build a stronger movement on the streets.

With the INDIA bloc preparing to revive its campaign, all eyes are now on the outcome of Thursday’s meeting and the next phase of its agitation demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.