{
  "id": 9979106,
  "title": "EC-SIR row brings oppn on same page; INDIA bloc to hold meeting on Sept 30",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/ec-sir-row-brings-oppn-on-same-page-india-bloc-to-hold-meeting-on",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T12:34:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ec-sir-row-brings-opposition-on-same-page-india-bloc-to-hold-meeting-on-september-30/articleshow/134504338.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The opposition INDIA bloc parties are set to convene at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on September 30, with key leaders anticipated to be in attendance. This meeting follows growing concerns over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Notable attendees are expected to include Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and her national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The meeting aims to coordinate a unified response to the perceived differences within the poll panel regarding the electoral roll revision.\n\nReports suggest that the opposition parties, including the CPI(M), CPI, and CPI(ML)-Liberation, have been in contact with each other and are currently discussing a joint stance. The Congress has also intensified its criticism of the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with its Working Committee slated to meet on September 29 to strategize. This development has brought together the TMC and CPI(M), despite their prior rivalry in West Bengal.\n\nFurther fueling the opposition's stance, an Indian Express report highlighted that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections multiple times over decisions and orders related to the SIR process. This revelation has sparked a political row concerning the functioning of the poll panel. The Election Commission, however, maintains that all decisions made concerning the SIR were approved unanimously.\n\nThe Commission reiterated that the order for the SIR, issued on June 24, 2025, for all States/UTs, including Bihar, West Bengal, and 30 other regions, was approved unanimously by the Commission. Additionally, the Supreme Court had upheld the SIR order on May 27, 2026. The Commission also announced measures to streamline the SIR process, with hearings for affected voters, like those with unmapped records or logical discrepancies, now conducted in most cases without requiring their physical presence at an Election Office (ERO). The Commission emphasized that the SIR process was completed in 20 States/UTs and extended deadlines for claims and objections in Delhi and Maharashtra.",
  "summary": "In New Delhi on September 30, the INDIA bloc's opposition parties are set to meet, focusing on critical electoral matters. The discussions will center on how to collectively address changes to the electoral rolls mandated by the Election Commission. Prominent entities like the Congress and Trinamool Congress have raised alarms over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's strategies.",
  "key_points": [
    "INDIA bloc opposition parties to meet on September 30 at Constitution Club, New Delhi.",
    "Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee expected to attend alongside other opposition leaders."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}