Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led a group of Opposition MPs in a march from Parliament towards Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday to seek President Droupadi Murmu’s intervention over the Election Commission’s functioning and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Opposition’s three-point charter of demands calls for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, an end to the SIR exercise and the restoration of around 13 crore voters whose names were reportedly excluded from draft electoral rolls.

A delegation of Opposition leaders met the President, while other MPs staged a sit-in along Kartavya Path, displaying placards targeting the Chief Election Commissioner and raising slogans alleging electoral irregularities.

INDIA bloc submits memorandum

The march followed a meeting of around 150 INDIA bloc MPs in Parliament’s Central Hall. Representatives from 16 political parties signed a memorandum outlining their concerns about the Election Commission and the voter-list revision process.

Speaking before the march, Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Kumar Jha said the Opposition wanted accountability over what it described as irregularities in the electoral system. Jha was among the leaders selected for the presidential delegation.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi also praised those participating in demonstrations in support of electoral transparency and democratic processes.

Rahul Gandhi says protests have shaken government

At the meeting of Opposition MPs, Rahul Gandhi said the protests held over the preceding days had “shaken the foundation of the government”.

The INDIA bloc has repeatedly questioned the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls and demanded action against Gyanesh Kumar. The commission’s role in the SIR exercise has become a major point of contention between the ruling establishment and Opposition parties.

Kharge criticises security restrictions

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of acting out of fear, citing reports of metro station closures and train service cancellations ahead of a separate protest scheduled at Jantar Mantar.

Kharge said the Opposition intended to inform President Murmu about what it considers serious concerns regarding the conduct of the Chief Election Commissioner.

He alleged that decisions taken under Gyanesh Kumar had created uncertainty and put democratic institutions at risk.

Jantar Mantar protest prompts security measures

The political confrontation comes ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party, a youth movement that has previously campaigned over alleged examination paper leaks. The group has announced a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10.

According to the supplied report, authorities have deployed thousands of police personnel and imposed temporary internet restrictions within a four-kilometre radius of the protest site, beginning at 10 pm on Friday and lasting 24 hours.

The proposed demonstration and the INDIA bloc’s demands have added to tensions in the national capital, with electoral-roll revision and the Election Commission’s functioning remaining at the centre of the Opposition’s campaign.