Full Breakdown
Congress Calls for Nationwide Protest Over Alleged Vote Theft
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Core Protest Schedule
The Congress party instructed its MPs to remain in New Delhi from October 30 through November 1, 2026 for actions organized by the INDIA bloc. The plan includes a “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 30, a mock-Parliament session at Hotel Ashok on October 31, and a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1. The three-day presence is framed as a response to alleged “vote chori” and irregularities in the electoral roll revision process.
Background & Context
The protests stem from the Opposition’s claim that the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has removed names from voter lists, violating electoral law. Congress leaders link the alleged misconduct to recent assembly elections in West Bengal, Haryana, Bihar and Maharashtra, asserting that the BJP benefited from “vote chori.” The campaign is promoted under the slogans “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” and “Save Vote – Save Country.”
Official Statements & Responses
- Rahul Gandhi urged students, farmers, labourers, women, youth and traders to join the march, framing the rally as a defence of democracy and a demand for the CEC’s resignation.
- Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president, called for an immediate suspension of SIR, a return to ballot-paper voting, and the annulment of the past two years of assembly elections, describing the protest as a “second war of independence.”
- Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP MP, argued that many INDIA bloc supporters were uneasy about the November 1 rally, citing concerns that the date coincides with the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom and could disrupt Diwali-season commerce.
- Raghunandan Rao, BJP MP, criticised the opposition for lacking a clear agenda, questioning why the Leader of Opposition does not address issues such as electricity supply, pensions and employment.
Criticism & Opposition
BJP representatives have framed the protest as poorly timed and potentially harmful to communal harmony. Prasad highlighted the sensitivity of the November 1 date, while Rao dismissed the INDIA bloc’s plans as lacking substantive policy proposals, urging the opposition to focus on governance matters instead of street demonstrations.
Data & Statistics
- Protest period: three days (Oct 30-Nov 1, 2026).
- Rally location: Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi.
- “Public impeachment” of CEC Gyanesh Kumar scheduled for October 30; mock Parliament at Hotel Ashok on October 31.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Names have been struck off the electoral rolls. Rules and laws have been flouted. And those who dared to ask questions were met with batons. Now, the nation will provide an answer,” — Rahul Gandhi
- “The vote is yours. The fight is also yours,” — Rahul Gandhi
- “This is second war of independence; I urge the people of Bihar to support nationwide movement against SIR,” — Mallikarjun Kharge
What’s Next
The mock Parliament on October 31 will feature Opposition MPs and senior leaders presenting a “public verdict” on the Chief Election Commissioner. The November 1 rally is expected to draw participants from across the INDIA bloc, with Congress leaders emphasizing that the vote belongs to the people and urging nationwide attendance.