Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc will meet through video conferencing on Thursday evening, October 22, to discuss their next strategy in the ongoing row involving Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, sources said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will chair the meeting, according to ANI.

Source: ANI via Latestly

The meeting comes amid the Opposition's sustained campaign over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties allege that eligible voters have been deleted from the rolls and have demanded the CEC's resignation and accountability from the Election Commission of India (ECI) — allegations the Commission denies, maintaining that it follows established procedures and defending its role in conducting elections.

The bloc has already announced a joint action plan under its 'Save Democracy' campaign, including a march towards the Election Commission headquarters and a rally in New Delhi on November 1, ANI reported. PTI had reported the plans for the October 22 meeting and the November 1 Delhi rally a day earlier.

Source: Devdiscourse (ANI)

October 6 march stopped by police

During an earlier protest on October 6, INDIA bloc MPs led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi marched towards Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission's headquarters, demanding a meeting with the poll panel. Delhi Police stopped the march amid heavy barricading and detained several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who were later released.

The ECI said Delhi Police had informed it that a delegation of around 240 MPs wanted to meet the Election Commissioners and submit a memorandum at the Parliament House Annexe, and described the proposed venue and manner of seeking the meeting as 'unusual' under its established protocol. Delhi Police said the march had not been given permission and cited prohibitory orders while explaining its action against the protesters.