INDIA Bloc Leaders Gather in Delhi as Allies Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation

Members of the INDIA bloc gathered at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on Wednesday for a coordination meeting focused on the Election Commission, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and other electoral issues. CPI MP P Sandosh called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, claiming that several concerns previously raised by opposition parties had since been reflected in developments surrounding the poll panel.

Speaking to ANI, Sandosh described the meeting as significant in the current political climate. He said the gathering had originally been planned for August but was postponed, with alliance partners now coming together to decide the next phase of their campaign over electoral issues. Sandosh alleged that opposition parties' earlier concerns about the Election Commission had been validated by subsequent developments. He claimed that election commissioners had acknowledged irregularities and other issues related to the electoral process, and argued that Kumar's resignation should therefore be pursued.

“The resignation of Gyanesh Kumar is the only way,” Sandosh said, adding that the alliance would discuss its future course of action during the meeting. Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain said the discussions would cover the Election Commission, SIR and other matters. He added that the party would place before the alliance a proposal based on deliberations held during the Congress Working Committee meeting a day earlier.

JMM leader Manoj Pandey also confirmed his party's participation. He said the party would follow and implement any decision reached collectively by the INDIA bloc. The Samajwadi Party is represented at the meeting by MPs Harendra Malik and Maulana Mohibbullah Nadvi. Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is not attending as the SP is simultaneously organising a farmers' conference in Lucknow and handling the Rajya Sabha nomination process.

The meeting follows the Congress Working Committee's discussions on Tuesday regarding SIR and the functioning of the Election Commission. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also raised concerns about the electoral process and criticised CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The latest meeting is expected to help the opposition alliance coordinate its position on the SIR exercise and determine its next course of action regarding its concerns about the Election Commission.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.