Full Breakdown
INDIA Bloc Meets in Delhi to Coordinate Action Over Election-Commission “SIR” Controversy
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Core Event – Joint Strategy Session on the Special Intensive Revision
On September 30 2026, senior leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc gathered at New Delhi’s Constitution Club to decide a coordinated response to alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and to press for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Participants included Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretaries Jairam Ramesh and K. C. Venugopal, Trinamool Congress leaders Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, and representatives of the Samajwadi Party, CPI, CPI(M), NCP(SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT). A draft notice for an impeachment motion in both houses was reported as ready.
Background & Context – SIR, Internal Dissent and Prior Alliances
The SIR exercise, launched by the Election Commission to clean voter lists, has been criticised for massive deletions and procedural changes. *The Indian Express* reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi lodged 14 objections over ten months, citing lack of consultation. The opposition’s first coordinated meeting on the issue took place on June 8 2026, after which the Congress Working Committee demanded suspension of SIR, restoration of the 13.3 crore voters removed, and the resignation of CEC Kumar.
Timeline
- October 27 2025 – EC issued schedule for SIR in 12 states and UTs.
- May 14 2026 – EC issued schedule for SIR in 19 states and UTs.
- May 27 2026 – Supreme Court upheld the SIR order.
- June 8 2026 – Previous INDIA bloc meeting; resolution to demand CEC’s resignation.
- September 30 2026 – Current INDIA bloc strategy meeting.
- October 2 2026 – “Jantar Mantar 2.0” protest in Mumbai organized by the Cockroach Janta Party.
- October 16 2026 – Rajya Sabha elections for ten Uttar Pradesh seats.
Official Statements & Responses
The bloc demanded reinstatement of the pre-SIR roll, notice and an appeal mechanism for deletions, and a return to paper ballots. The EC said differing views among commissioners are “a normal part of deliberations” and that all SIR orders carry full legal sanction.
Criticism & Opposition
- Pratul Shahdeo, BJP chief spokesperson, dismissed the bloc’s unity as “only in name” and accused Congress of “defaming” institutions.
- Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union minister, argued the opposition’s focus on the EC reflects “political excuses” after electoral setbacks.
- Sanjay Singh (AAP) said the party would support any parliamentary impeachment motion against CEC Kumar despite not attending the meeting.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the EC’s internal consensus: *The Indian Express* cites 14 objections, while the EC claims all SIR decisions were unanimous. The extent of voter deletions also varies; Congress cites 13.3 crore names removed, whereas the EC has not released an official total.
What’s Next
The draft impeachment notice will be debated by the INDIA bloc before submission to Parliament. Street-level actions are planned, including the CJP’s “Jantar Mantar 2.0” rally on October 2 2026 and coordinated protests ahead of the October 16 2026 Rajya Sabha elections. The EC’s legal standing of the SIR will be tested in upcoming court filings, while the opposition seeks public support for restoring the deleted voter rolls.