Archive · 8 Oct 2026
INDIA Bloc Holds Kharge Lunch Before Day Three Protest
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge invited opposition politicians to lunch in Delhi on Thursday.
They are part of a group called the INDIA bloc.
After lunch, they went to Rajghat to protest against election chief Gyanesh Kumar.
They want him to resign because they have concerns about changes to voter lists.
They also say the BJP and the Election Commission worked together, while the reports do not establish that allegation as fact.
The group asked to meet President Droupadi Murmu.
Reports differed about whether the meeting had been confirmed, though one said 10 MPs would meet her on Friday.
Police had detained some leaders during earlier protests, and filed a case over alleged conduct during the demonstrations.
Mallikarjun Kharge hosted INDIA bloc MPs and leaders for lunch at Moets in Connaught Place on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
Opposition leaders then went to Rajghat to protest Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar; reports described the protest plan as expected or likely.
The bloc is demanding Kumar’s resignation over concerns about the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls and allegations of collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission.
The reports differ on a meeting request to President Droupadi Murmu: one said no response had arrived, while another said a 10-MP delegation had been given a Friday appointment.
Police detained opposition leaders during earlier protests, and Delhi Police registered an FIR alleging Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others assaulted police personnel and obstructed government work.
- Who
- Mallikarjun Kharge and INDIA bloc MPs and leaders; the protest targets Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- Kharge hosted a lunch before the bloc continued its protest, including a visit to Rajghat, and sought Kumar’s resignation.
- When
- Thursday, October 8, 2026; the reports describe this as the third day of protests.
- Where
- Moets in Connaught Place and Rajghat, New Delhi.
- Why
- The opposition is protesting issues linked to the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls and alleges collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission.
Opposition claims and demands
Election Commission and police responses
Special Intensive Revision and election process
Opposition claims and demands
INDIA bloc leaders object to the voter-roll revision and allege collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission; they are demanding Kumar’s resignation.
Election Commission and police responses
The Election Commission said differing views and observations are part of institutional deliberations and that its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures.
Police handling of demonstrations
Opposition claims and demands
Opposition leaders described being stopped and detained during protests as an effort to suppress their campaign.
Election Commission and police responses
Delhi Police registered an FIR alleging assault on police personnel and obstruction of government work; the reports say the allegations are being examined.
- Lunch host
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge
- Lunch venue
- Moets, Outer Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi
- Lunch time
- 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Protest destination
- Rajghat; reports said the MPs were expected or likely to go there after lunch
- Main demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Issue cited
- The Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls
- Presidential meeting
- Reports differ: one said the bloc had not received a response, while another said a delegation of 10 MPs had an appointment for Friday
- Police case
- Delhi Police registered an FIR alleging assault on police personnel and obstruction of government work during protests
