1 hr ago
Kharge Hosts INDIA Bloc Lunch as SIR Protests Continue
Mallikarjun Kharge invited opposition politicians to lunch in Delhi on Thursday.
They belong to a group called the INDIA bloc.
The politicians planned to discuss another protest after eating.
They are protesting over changes to voter lists and want election chief Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Police stopped and detained some leaders during earlier protests, and they were later released.
One report said the group might go to Rajghat after lunch.
Police also filed a case over alleged actions during the protests.
The Election Commission said its decisions follow the rules and legal process.
Mallikarjun Kharge invited INDIA bloc MPs to lunch at Moets in Connaught Place on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 1:45 p.m.
Opposition sources said MPs were likely to decide during lunch on a protest route; NDTV reported they were likely to go to Rajghat.
The protests seek Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over concerns about the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls.
Police detained opposition leaders during protests on Tuesday and Wednesday; the reports say those detained were later released.
Delhi Police registered an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others over alleged assault on police and obstruction of government work; the Election Commission said its orders follow statutory procedures.
- Who
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and INDIA bloc MPs; their protest demand concerns Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- Kharge invited MPs to lunch, after which they were expected to discuss or hold another protest.
- Where
- Moets, Outer Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi; NDTV reported Rajghat as a likely destination after lunch.
- When
- Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 1:45 p.m.; previous protests took place Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Why
- The opposition is campaigning for Kumar’s resignation over issues linked to the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls.
Opposition’s claims and demands
Police and Election Commission positions
SIR and the demand for resignation
Opposition’s claims and demands
The INDIA bloc is protesting issues linked to the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls and demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police and Election Commission positions
The Election Commission said differing views are part of institutional deliberations and that its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures.
Conduct during protests
Opposition’s claims and demands
Rahul Gandhi said the protests would continue until Kumar resigns; the reports describe leaders being stopped and detained during demonstrations.
Police and Election Commission positions
Delhi Police filed an FIR alleging assault on police personnel and obstruction of government work; the allegations are under examination.
Key facts
- Lunch venue
- Moets, K-14, Outer Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi
- Lunch time
- 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Host
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge
- Protest demand
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation
- Issue cited
- The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls
- Possible Thursday destination
- Rajghat, according to NDTV; sources in another report said MPs would decide the protest plan during lunch
- Reported police action
- Leaders were detained during Tuesday and Wednesday protests and later released
- FIR
- Delhi Police registered a case against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others over alleged assault on police personnel and obstruction of government work
Quotes
Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress president who invited Opposition MPs to lunch.
“We are not going to stop protesting till (Chief Election Commissioner) Gyanesh Kumar resigns. This is a fight to protect the most sacred thing in this country. There is nothing that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah can do that will stop us.”
deccanchronicle.com
“I invite your good self and all your members in both LS and RS for lunch today i.e. 8 October 2026 at 1.45 pm at Moets K-14, Outer Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
Kharge to Host INDIA Bloc MPs After ‘Vote Chori’ Protest
Opposition MPs Head to Jantar Mantar to Demand CEC’s Resignation
Opposition Protesters Detained Again as CEC Resignation Demanded
INDIA Bloc March to Election Commission Halted Amid Standoff
Opposition Protests Against Election Chief, Lawmakers Detained
Opposition MPs Detained During Anti-CEC Protest in Delhi
Man Beaten After Pro-Modi Slogan at Delhi Opposition Protest
Congress Protests in Hyderabad, Delhi and Patna Demand CEC Resignation
Bajrang Dal Denies Viral Claims of October 10 Mobilisation
ECI Figures Show TMC Won Seats With Highest Voter Deletions
