INDIA bloc to meet on Sept 30, CEC's ouster on top of agenda

On September 30, the opposition INDIA bloc will convene to deliberate on allegations of electoral roll manipulation and the potential removal of Central Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This meeting comes in the wake of nationwide discontent following disclosures that Election Commission officials SS Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised doubts about several SIR-related decisions.

The INDIA bloc, spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi, has accused these parties of systematically stealing votes in favor of the BJP over the past two years and is demanding the abandonment of the SIR process. TMC MP Derek O'Brien emphasized that the demand for Kumar's resignation is "non-negotiable," while other matters will also be addressed during the gathering.

Notable figures such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray, and MA Baby are anticipated to participate. The meeting was instigated by a letter from CPM leader MA Baby to various parties, urging an urgent assembly. Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee dubbed Kumar "Vanish Kumar," denounced the theft of Bengal's mandate, and called for his dismissal.

The Congress Working Committee is set to meet on September 29, paving the way for a joint brainstorming session. Additionally, there are plans to submit an additional removal notice against Kumar in both houses of Parliament. The Joint Opposition Party (CJP) and other youth groups have already announced their intention to launch a nationwide campaign against Kumar on October 2, with Azad Maidan in Mumbai as the likely protest site.