INDIA bloc to launch nationwide campaign against CEC, SIR from October 2

The Opposition INDIA bloc on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, announced a nationwide campaign beginning Friday, October 2, 2026, unveiling a graded agitation plan that includes district-level protest marches, public meetings, a march to the Election Commission, and a joint appeal to the Chief Justice of India for expedited hearings in cases linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and alleged electoral “malpractices.”

The decisions followed a three-and-a-half-hour strategy meeting attended by 33 leaders representing 19 political parties. Independent MP and senior Supreme Court advocate Kapil Sibal also participated in the deliberations.

Campaign plan and timeline

The bloc will conduct “Save Democracy” marches in every district across the country from October 2 to 8. The proposal was moved by CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and, after initial reservations from some leaders citing State-specific political concerns, it received the backing of senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

On October 6, Opposition MPs are slated to march to the Election Commission headquarters. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said some leaders had wanted the march to take place immediately on Wednesday, but others urged a later date to ensure wider participation by MPs.

In addition to the district-level mobilisations, the INDIA bloc plans five major rallies through October and November, including a high-profile event in Delhi on November 1. The coalition will also seek an appointment with the President to brief her on what it described as “constitutional hurdles being created by the government.” During the meeting, concerns were raised that such requests are often declined or that the size of delegations permitted by the President’s office is curtailed.

Legal strategy and push for expedited hearings

Mr. Sibal urged the bloc to mount a legal challenge to the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. Citing a contentious provision, he noted that the law stipulates that “notwithstanding other laws, no court could entertain or continue civil or criminal proceedings against a person who was or had been CEC/EC for an act, thing, or word committed, done, or spoken while discharging official duty or function,” which he said extends blanket immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner. Given this, Mr. Sibal suggested pursuing legal action against other Election Commission officials, including Seema Khanna, Director General (IT) at the ECI, who, he said, had been instrumental in bringing the SIR. Most leaders present backed his proposal.

Some apprehensions were voiced about how the Supreme Court might respond to urgent pleas. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who joined the meeting virtually, pointed to the Chief Justice of India’s recent observation while declining an early hearing of petitions related to the SIR in West Bengal: “These are only by-elections.”

Beyond court action, the bloc will file a joint appeal to the Chief Justice for expedited hearings in cases concerning the SIR and alleged electoral improprieties.

Coordination beyond the alliance

While there was no move to bring additional parties formally into the INDIA alliance, leaders agreed on engaging with civil society and secular political formations outside the bloc to broaden support for the campaign.

Leaders’ statements and allegations

Addressing a press conference alongside key INDIA bloc leaders, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “With unanimity, everyone vowed to fight together.” He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of reducing the Election Commission to a “puppet,” alleging, “These people are only winning elections by stealing votes. When our people oppose this, they are harassed.” He further contended that the BJP’s electoral victories were “stolen.”

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said democratic institutions were “under attack” from the BJP, Mr. Modi, Mr. Shah, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. “We are not going to take it lying down,” he said. “We are going to ensure this personal commitment of all INDIA leaders—people who have destroyed Indian democracy are punished, no matter how senior they are and who they are. Indian democracy is bigger than every single person in this country.”

Participation, absences and party lineup

Several prominent parties were represented at the meeting, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, All India Trinamool Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT), Rashtriya Janata Dal, CPI(M), CPI, National Conference, PDP, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, CPI(ML), Indian Union Muslim League, Kerala Congress (M), MDMK, VCK, Revolutionary Socialist Party, Kerala Congress (Jacob), and the All India Forward Bloc.

Among notable absentees was the DMK, which has refused to share a platform with the Congress after the latter shifted its support to the TVK following the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav did not attend owing to Rajya Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren joined the meeting virtually.

What to expect next

The INDIA bloc’s multi-pronged strategy—combining mass mobilisation, legal challenge, and institutional outreach—sets up a sustained confrontation over the SIR and the role of the Election Commission in upcoming electoral exercises. The district-level “Save Democracy” marches will kick off on October 2, followed by the October 6 protest at the Election Commission, a collective plea to the Chief Justice for swift hearings, and a request for an audience with the President. The coalition’s five planned rallies through October and November, including the November 1 event in Delhi, are intended to keep the spotlight on what the Opposition calls threats to the electoral process and constitutional norms.

With top leaders reaffirming unity despite some absences, the Opposition signalled that it will escalate its campaign both on the streets and through the courts, even as it braces for potential procedural and legal hurdles ahead.