The INDIA bloc has announced a united front, planning joint agitations over the SIR row and electoral issues, while deferring the question of Rahul Gandhi as a 2029 prime ministerial candidate. A key meeting resulted in agreement on electoral matters and a nationwide protest plan, emphasizing a unified fight against alleged attacks on democracy and demanding the use of ballot papers over EVMs. Leaders also voiced concerns over electoral malpractices and the functioning of the Election Commission.

The INDIA bloc has announced a united front, planning joint agitations over the SIR row and electoral issues, while deferring the question of Rahul Gandhi as a 2029 prime ministerial candidate. A key meeting resulted in agreement on electoral matters and a nationwide protest plan, emphasizing a unified fight against alleged attacks on democracy and demanding the use of ballot papers over EVMs. Leaders also voiced concerns over electoral malpractices and the functioning of the Election Commission.

The INDIA bloc has announced a united front, planning joint agitations over the SIR row and electoral issues, while deferring the question of Rahul Gandhi as a 2029 prime ministerial candidate. A key meeting resulted in agreement on electoral matters and a nationwide protest plan, emphasizing a unified fight against alleged attacks on democracy and demanding the use of ballot papers over EVMs. Leaders also voiced concerns over electoral malpractices and the functioning of the Election Commission.

The INDIA bloc sought to present a united front on Wednesday, announcing a joint agitation over the SIR row and electoral issues. But a question over whether that unity would extend to projecting Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial candidate for 2029 went unanswered.

Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who stressed that the opposition alliance was united, chose not to respond when asked whether Rahul Gandhi would be the bloc's PM candidate in the next Lok Sabha election.

“We will hold a press conference tomorrow,” Banerjee said, without answering the question, reported news agency ANI.

Her refusal to answer the question came after a three-and-a-half-hour meeting of INDIA bloc leaders that came out with agreement on several contentious electoral issues and a joint plan for nationwide protests.

The meeting included Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Banerjee, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren participated online.

Kharge said there was unanimity among the opposition parties on fighting together.

"With unanimity, everyone vowed to fight together," he said.

The Congress president also said all parties had "100 per cent" agreed that elections should be conducted using ballot papers instead of EVMs.

The opposition parties finalised a series of protests and rallies as part of their joint action plan. "Save democracy" marches involving young people and NGOs will be organised from October 2 to 8, alongside demonstrations outside district magistrates' offices.

Opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission on October 6. The Leaders of Opposition will also seek an appointment with the President and submit a representation in the second week of October.

The alliance plans five major rallies, besides a mega rally in Delhi on November 1.

The INDIA bloc also appealed to the Supreme Court to expedite cases concerning SIR and alleged electoral malpractices.

Rahul Gandhi said the opposition parties shared the view that India's democratic structure had been attacked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

"We are not going to take it lying down, we will ensure that those who have destroyed Indian democracy are punished," Gandhi said.

Banerjee, meanwhile, insisted that the INDIA bloc was "very much united" and demanded the immediate removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

She alleged electoral wrongdoing and manipulation, saying the opposition had raised concerns in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar and West Bengal as well as over the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

"Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav had raised the issue of vote theft in Bihar. We have also raised concerns over electoral manipulation in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar and Bengal, as well as in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," Banerjee said.

She claimed the opposition had approached both the Election Commission and the Supreme Court over its concerns.

Other INDIA bloc constituents also publicly underlined the alliance's unity.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said the parties had united to "save democracy" and were prepared to make whatever sacrifices were necessary.

Samajwadi Party MP Harendra Singh Malik said his party would remain part of the INDIA alliance, contest elections in partnership with the Congress and seek to form the government.

Another SP MP, Mohibbullah Nadvi, said Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi and other alliance leaders were making a collective effort to safeguard democracy and institutions.

CPI MP P. Sandosh confirmed that the agitation would continue, including the October 6 march to the Election Commission and the November 1 rally.

CPI(M-L) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya also announced plans for a mass movement across the country beginning on October 2.

Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said the INDIA bloc was "completely united" and that the entire opposition stood together over the Election Commission's activities.

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