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Rahul Gandhi Vows INDIA Bloc Will Defend Constitution
Rahul Gandhi met with leaders from the INDIA bloc to discuss elections and democracy.
He said the opposition parties would work together to protect India’s Constitution.
The leaders accused the government and election authorities of harming democracy and claimed that elections were being “stolen.”
The government and Election Commission rejected those claims.
Gandhi said the opposition wanted people responsible for the alleged damage to democracy to be punished.
He also said young people were showing a new resistance to what the opposition considers wrong.
The INDIA bloc agreed to hold rallies and marches connected to the SIR controversy.
Mamata Banerjee called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
The opposition also said elections should use paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines.
Gandhi said the alliance would seek serious changes in the country in the coming months.
Rahul Gandhi said INDIA bloc leaders are “collective defenders” of the Indian Constitution.
The bloc accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of attacking India’s democratic system.
Gandhi pledged that those responsible for what the opposition calls the destruction of democracy would be punished, regardless of rank.
Opposition leaders agreed on a joint action plan over the SIR controversy, including rallies and “save democracy” marches.
Mallikarjun Kharge said the parties supported holding elections through ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines, while the government and Election Commission rejected the opposition’s allegations.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi and leaders of the INDIA bloc, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Omar Abdullah, Tejashwi Yadav and Supriya Sule.
- What
- The INDIA bloc discussed electoral concerns, announced joint political action and pledged to defend the Constitution and pursue accountability for alleged damage to democracy.
- Where
- At a joint media briefing following the meeting in New Delhi.
- When
- Wednesday; the cited social-media post was dated September 30, 2026.
- Why
- The opposition parties said they were responding to alleged election irregularities, the SIR controversy and concerns about the functioning of democratic institutions.
INDIA Bloc’s Position
Government and Election Commission’s Position
Election conduct
INDIA Bloc’s Position
The opposition alleges that elections were “stolen” and that the democratic system was attacked.
Government and Election Commission’s Position
The government and Election Commission have rejected the opposition’s allegations about the conduct of elections.
Election institutions
INDIA Bloc’s Position
INDIA bloc leaders criticized the Election Commission, and Mamata Banerjee demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Government and Election Commission’s Position
The Election Commission and government reject the opposition’s claims concerning the functioning of elections and the poll panel.
Voting method
INDIA Bloc’s Position
Mallikarjun Kharge said the opposition parties agreed that elections should be conducted through ballot papers instead of EVMs.
Government and Election Commission’s Position
The articles do not report a specific government or Election Commission response to the ballot-paper demand.
Key facts
- Meeting duration
- Three and a half hours
- Main issue discussed
- The opposition’s allegation of “vote chori” and concerns about elections
- Joint action plan
- Rallies and “save democracy” marches over the SIR controversy
- Opposition demand
- Mamata Banerjee called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation
- Voting method proposed
- Mallikarjun Kharge said the parties agreed elections should be held using ballot papers rather than EVMs
- Gandhi’s pledge
- He said those accused of destroying Indian democracy should be punished regardless of seniority
- Planned political goal
- Gandhi said the bloc would seek serious changes over the next few months
Quotes
Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister and INDIA bloc leader
“We are not going to take it lying down. It is a personal commitment of all INDIA bloc leaders, we are going to ensure that people who have destroyed Indian democracy are punished. Doesn't matter how senior they are, who they are, Indian democracy is bigger than every single person in this country”
deccanchronicle.com
freepressjournal.in
“INDIA bloc meeting saw a very good discussion and the main issue was 'vote chori'. All parties are of the opinion that the democratic system of India has been attacked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shad and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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