Source The print
New Delhi — Top leaders of the Opposition INDIA bloc gathered at Rahul Gandhi’s residence in the national capital on Tuesday, turning an afternoon high-tea meeting into a united stand against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The gathering brought together senior political leaders, lawmakers, and civil society representatives following intense street demonstrations in Delhi. The leaders presented a shared front, insisting that their ongoing campaign against alleged election unfairness is not scattered, but a single national movement.
One Common Fight, Says Rahul Gandhi
Addressing reporters alongside alliance leaders, Rahul Gandhi said the fight goes beyond party politics.
“We are standing together as one,” Gandhi said. “There are no parallel protests, only one single protest with one mission: to restore democracy in India. The election system has been damaged, and we are fighting to bring back fair rules for everyone.”
He made it clear that the alliance plans to keep the pressure on for as long as it takes. “This team is not going to stop,” he added. “Whether it takes three months, a year, or two years, we will reach our goal.”
Opposition Leaders Sharpen Attacks
Other key figures from the bloc also spoke out strongly:
Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress President): Called the recent public demonstrations a “massive success” and pledged to take the fight against vote theft deeper across the country.
Tejashwi Yadav (RJD): Said the public has now clearly seen issues with the voting process, adding that the opposition will continue to take its message directly to the people.
D. Raja (CPI): Confirmed that the primary agenda of the meeting was coordinating the campaign to demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar step down.
Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena – UBT) & M.A. Baby (CPI-M): Accused the election chief of working closely with the ruling party rather than acting as a neutral referee.
Anger Over Protest Restrictions
Leaders also strongly objected to authorities removing Jantar Mantar from the list of approved protest spots in the capital. Several speakers described the move as an attempt by the government to silence public voices, insisting that peaceful demonstrations must be allowed at the historic venue.
The meeting ended with a pledge from the coalition to coordinate demonstrations across states in the coming weeks, signalling that the conflict between the Opposition and the poll panel is set to intensify.
