CEC-SIR protest LIVE: Rahul says INDIA bloc’s next move a ‘surprise’; Shah tells Cong to introspect

Rahul Gandhi vows to hold Modi, Shah and Gyanesh Kumar accountable

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday vowed to hold accountable those he accused of undermining India's democratic process, naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

"It is our commitment to you that the people who have done this, Mr. Modi, Mr. Shah, Mr. Gyanesh Kumar, the lady who's hiding right now in Dehradun, and others are going to be brought to justice..." Gandhi said.

Referring to the previous day's demonstration, he said the turnout reflected public anger rather than the efforts of any single political party.

"Yesterday, you saw an expression not of the political party standing here, but an expression of the people of India," he said, thanking residents of Delhi and others who had supported the protest.

Gandhi said the agitation was about protecting citizens' rights and the country's future, not merely advancing the Opposition's political interests.

"This is not about us. This is about the people of India. This is about the future of the people of India," he said.

He pledged that the INDIA bloc would continue its campaign to restore what he described as the democratic process in the country.

Rahul Gandhi vows to challenge Jantar Mantar protest ban

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the INDIA bloc would challenge the decision to stop using Jantar Mantar as a protest venue, arguing that it restricted citizens’ ability to express dissent.

"...The one method of expression of democracy was Jantar Mantar and now the government has decided that Jantar Mantar can no longer be used to express democratic feelings. We are going to challenge that idea," Rahul said.

He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of undermining democratic institutions, warning that they would be held accountable.

"It is not going to be so simple that you can destroy the Indian Constitution and get away with it...." he said as quoted by ANI.

Gandhi stressed that opposition parties were united in their campaign and rejected the suggestion that separate protests were being organised.

"There is one singular protest, and the protest has one mission: restoration of democracy in India," he said.

He alleged that the country's electoral system and Constitution had been damaged, adding that the INDIA bloc would continue its fight to restore what he described as genuine democratic rule.

Supriya Sule Says INDIA Bloc Will continue fight to protect Constitution

NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule said the INDIA bloc would continue its agitation against what she described as threats to the Constitution, asserting that opposition parties remained united in their campaign.

"We stand united with full strength as part of the INDIA alliance; our struggle will continue because the Constitution has been undermined and is currently in danger in this country," Sule said.

She said the movement aimed to protect the rights guaranteed to citizens under the Constitution drafted under the leadership of Dr BR Ambedkar.

Sule accused the government of attempting to undermine those rights and said opposition parties would continue to resist what she described as injustice and oppression.

"We stand united with full strength to fight against this injustice and oppression; our movement will continue, from Delhi down to the grassroots level..." she said.

Tejashwi Yadav accuses BJP of plotting to uundermine democracy

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the BJP leadership and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of undermining democratic institutions, alleging that the Election Commission had been involved in a conspiracy to manipulate elections.

Addressing the INDIA bloc’s protest, Yadav alleged that the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were responsible for what he described as an attack on democracy.

"We are united in our resolve to save democracy, and we will make whatever sacrifices are necessary to achieve this," he said.

Yadav also accused central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, CBI and Income Tax Department, of being used to target political opponents. He alleged that the Election Commission’s conduct under Gyanesh Kumar had gone even further.

"The way Gyanesh Gupta has acted like a mere puppet, he will certainly face punishment," Yadav said as quoted by ANI.

Questioning the decision to move protests away from Jantar Mantar, he claimed the change in venue reflected the authorities’ fear of the opposition’s campaign.

"We will continue this fight; we will stand united, fight, and emerge victorious," he said, adding that those accused of facilitating alleged vote theft would have to answer to the public.

Yadav said the INDIA bloc would continue its campaign to defend democracy and the Constitution.

Kharge says INDIA bloc ready to expose Modi's 'vote theft' plan

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that the INDIA bloc’s activities over the past four days had drawn widespread public support, with young people and citizens turning out to raise concerns over alleged electoral irregularities.

Kharge credited Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders with bringing public issues to the forefront, describing the turnout in Delhi as unusual.

“...You have witnessed the tremendous success of the initiatives undertaken by the INDIA alliance over the past four days; Rahul-ji and other leaders addressed the public's issues with great seriousness and dedication. Rarely have people turned out in such vast numbers,” he said.

He added that the gathering was notable because citizens and young people had joined on their own initiative.

“Everyone is now prepared to fully expose PM Modi's plan to steal votes,” Kharge said, accusing the prime minister of seeking to manipulate the electoral process.

INDIA Bloc leaders meet at Rahul Gandhi’s residence to plan next move

The INDIA bloc’s high tea meeting is underway at Rahul Gandhi’s residence, with the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and other opposition leaders gathered to discuss the alliance’s next course of action, reported the Hindustan Times. 

Sonia Gandhi arrives for INDIA bloc high-tea meet at Rahul Gandhi’s residence

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi arrives at Rahul Gandhi’s residence for the INDIA bloc’s high-tea meeting, bringing opposition leaders together to discuss the alliance’s next course of action.

CJP founder warns protester against division over police action

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has urged protesters and their supporters to guard against conspiracy theories, alleging that differing police responses to demonstrations were fuelling suspicion among groups raising similar concerns.

In a post on X, Dipke said some people had accused CJP of acting at the BJP’s behest after the party received permission to hold a protest. He contrasted the police response to the INDIA bloc’s demonstration with the action taken during CJP’s protest on October 10.

“By treating different protests differently, they create suspicion and mistrust among people who are ultimately fighting for the same cause,” he wrote.

Dipke urged protesters not to turn against one another, arguing that such divisions could distract from the issues they were seeking to raise.

He said the focus should instead remain on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and those Dipke accused of protecting him.

Singhvi says INDIA Bloc campaign against SIR gaining momentum

Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the INDIA bloc’s campaign against alleged electoral irregularities was gathering pace and evolving into a public movement.

Speaking ahead of the high tea meeting convened by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Singhvi said the effort brought together opposition leaders, advocates and members of civil society. He added that the campaign could see a different format of press interaction as it progressed, reported the Hindustan Times.

On reports that Gandhi’s petition before the Supreme Court had been flagged for technical defects, Singhvi dismissed the objections as “rubbish”. He argued that registry scrutiny was a routine part of legal proceedings and said the focus should be on the substance of the petition.

Singhvi challenged critics to point to substantive errors rather than raise issues over punctuation, photocopy quality or photographs. He also questioned whether the objections addressed the allegations levelled against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

DK Shivakumar arrives for INDIA bloc high tea meet at Rahul Gandhi’s residence

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar arrives at Rahul Gandhi’s residence for a high tea meeting with INDIA bloc leaders, opposition MPs and student organisations to discuss the alliance’s next course of action.