Archive · 1 Oct 2026
BJP Questions INDIA Bloc Unity Over Rahul Gandhi Leadership
The INDIA bloc is a group of opposition parties in India.
Its leaders met in New Delhi to discuss complaints about changes to voter lists.
Some leaders or parties did not attend the meeting in person.
BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan said this showed that the group was falling apart.
He also said the group and Congress did not support Rahul Gandhi as their leader.
The opposition parties said they would hold protests and rallies.
They want action over what they call problems in revising voter lists.
Some leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray and Hemant Soren, joined the meeting online.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the INDIA bloc was “crumbling” after several leaders missed or joined an alliance meeting remotely.
The meeting in New Delhi focused on protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Akhilesh Yadav missed the meeting because of Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha nominations, while the DMK and AAP were absent.
Uddhav Thackeray and Hemant Soren participated through videoconferencing, contrary to Chouhan’s description of them as absent or divided.
The Opposition announced protests and rallies from October 2 to October 8, including demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Who
- BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan and leaders of the INDIA bloc, including Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray and Hemant Soren.
- What
- The BJP claimed that the INDIA bloc was divided and did not support Rahul Gandhi’s leadership after several leaders missed or joined a meeting remotely.
- When
- The claims and meeting took place on Wednesday; the proposed protests and rallies are scheduled from October 2 to October 8.
- Where
- The INDIA bloc meeting took place in New Delhi; Akhilesh Yadav was handling Rajya Sabha nominations in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- The meeting was held to coordinate opposition to alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and to demand Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
BJP position
INDIA bloc position and actions
Alliance unity
BJP position
Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the absence or remote participation of several leaders showed that the INDIA bloc was crumbling and that its constituents did not accept Rahul Gandhi as their leader.
INDIA bloc position and actions
The articles do not report a direct response from Rahul Gandhi or the INDIA bloc to Chouhan’s leadership allegation; the bloc proceeded with a joint meeting and announced collective action.
Electoral-roll revision
BJP position
Chouhan defended accurate voter lists and questioned opposition to removing names of deceased, duplicate or non-citizen voters.
INDIA bloc position and actions
The INDIA bloc alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision and stepped up demands for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Meaning of the protests
BJP position
Chouhan described the planned protests as an advance excuse for expected election defeats and as an effort to protect the Congress and its allies’ political dynasty.
INDIA bloc position and actions
The opposition parties presented the protests and rallies as action over electoral-roll concerns and announced them for October 2 through October 8.
- BJP speaker
- Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union agriculture and rural development minister
- Meeting location
- New Delhi
- Main issue
- Alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Proposed action
- Opposition protests and rallies from October 2 to October 8
- Election official targeted
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Reported absences
- Akhilesh Yadav, the DMK and the AAP did not attend in person
- Virtual participation
- Uddhav Thackeray and Hemant Soren joined through videoconferencing
