Archive · 8 Oct 2026
INDIA Bloc Leaders Plan Rajghat Protest Seeking Election Chief’s Resignation
Opposition politicians in India met for lunch before planning another protest.
They want Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Several parties that missed the previous lunch joined this one.
The protesters also said they had asked to meet President Droupadi Murmu but had not heard back.
Their demonstrations had continued for three days in New Delhi.
On Wednesday, security personnel stopped their march, and some politicians were detained or resisted detention.
The politicians say they will keep protesting.
The article reports their claims and actions but does not give the election commission's response.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted a second consecutive lunch for INDIA bloc MPs and leaders at Moets in Connaught Place.
Opposition leaders planned to proceed to Rajghat to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and seek his resignation.
The Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena-UBT and NCP-SCP attended after being absent from the previous day's lunch.
Congress leader K C Venugopal said the bloc had requested a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu but had received no response as of October 8.
The gathering followed days of protests in New Delhi, including a disrupted march and sit-in on Wednesday.
- Who
- Mallikarjun Kharge and INDIA bloc MPs and leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and representatives of several opposition parties.
- What
- They held a lunch and planned a protest at Rajghat against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, seeking his resignation.
- When
- October 8; the article says it was the third day of protests.
- Where
- Moets restaurant in Connaught Place, New Delhi, with a planned protest at Rajghat.
- Why
- The opposition said it was protesting against Gyanesh Kumar and seeking his resignation; its leaders described the action as a fight for justice.
Opposition leaders’ claims
Other perspectives in the report
Election administration
Opposition leaders’ claims
Deepender Hooda alleged collusion between the BJP and Election Commission and said the opposition would continue its struggle.
Other perspectives in the report
The report provides no response from the BJP, the Election Commission or Gyanesh Kumar to the allegations.
Handling of protests
Opposition leaders’ claims
Opposition leaders said they were denied permission to meet election commissioners and sit at Jantar Mantar, and criticized police actions.
Other perspectives in the report
The article says security personnel stopped the march and attempted to detain leaders, but gives no statement from police or security officials.
- Lunch host
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge
- Lunch venue
- Moets, Outer Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi
- Planned protest venue
- Rajghat
- Person targeted by protest
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Protest duration reported
- Third consecutive day in New Delhi, as of October 8
- Presidential meeting request
- K C Venugopal said requests were sent on October 2 and October 5, seeking an appointment on October 7, 8 or 9; he said there had been no response as of October 8.
- Parties newly attending lunch
- Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena-UBT and NCP-SCP, which had been absent the previous day
