Rahul Gandhi Vows Continued Resistance, Says INDIA Bloc Will Triumph

NEW DELHI, Oct 13: The opposition INDIA bloc and civil society representatives on Tuesday pledged to continue their joint campaign for the restoration of democratic processes, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi asserting that political and public resistance would persist until those accused of electoral wrongdoing were held accountable.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with opposition leaders, student representatives and civil society members at his residence, Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were responsible for what he termed “vote chori”. He said the opposition was committed to pursuing accountability over the allegations.

Gandhi hosted the gathering at his residence on 5, Sunehri Bagh Road, where participants discussed the prevailing political situation and strategies to sustain their campaign against the Election Commission leadership.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, RJD leaders Tejashwi Yadav and Manoj Jha, JMM representative Mahua Majhi, Samajwadi Party leaders Harendra Malik, Anand Bhadauria and Mohibullah Nadvi, CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby, CPI leaders D Raja and P Sandosh Kumar, CPI(ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, Trinamool Congress leaders Mahua Moitra and Sagarika Ghose, AISA chief Neha Bora and civil society representatives attended the meeting.

Gandhi expressed confidence that the movement would continue regardless of the response from political institutions. He also voiced respect for the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of India and the judicial system, saying he hoped they would fulfil their role in addressing concerns surrounding the democratic process.

“We have extreme respect for the Supreme Court, for the Chief Justice of India, for the judicial system. They have a role to play; we hope they will play that role,” he said.

The Congress leader added that public and political opposition would continue irrespective of institutional intervention. He maintained that alleged violations of the Constitution could not go unchallenged and reiterated his commitment to seeking action against those he accused of electoral misconduct.

Gandhi also thanked citizens who participated in the opposition’s protest march to the Supreme Court on Monday. He described the demonstrations as an expression of public concern rather than merely a mobilisation by political parties.

He said the participating groups were united in their objective of restoring democratic processes and addressing allegations of electoral malpractice.

Following the meeting, Kharge said INDIA bloc leaders had discussed the current situation and plans to intensify their campaign seeking Kumar’s resignation. He claimed that people were prepared to challenge what he described as the Prime Minister’s plan involving alleged vote manipulation.

Kharge said the opposition would continue its coordinated protests against the BJP-led government and pursue its demands through a united campaign.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the Chief Election Commissioner of undermining democratic institutions under the influence of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the BJP. He said opposition parties were prepared to make sacrifices to protect constitutional principles.

Referring to India’s political legacy, Yadav invoked Mahatma Gandhi, Ram Manohar Lohia, Bhagat Singh and Karpoori Thakur. He alleged that constitutional institutions were being undermined and criticised the Election Commission’s functioning. He also cited the reported withdrawal of Jantar Mantar’s designated status as a protest site as evidence of the government’s intolerance towards dissent.

CPI leader D Raja said public anger over the controversy was growing and reiterated the demand for the CEC’s resignation. He maintained that protests could not be suppressed and called for the restoration of Jantar Mantar as a recognised venue for demonstrations, describing the right to protest as a fundamental democratic principle.

M A Baby also criticised the reported change in the status of the protest site, linking it to the broader dispute over electoral accountability. He alleged that the authorities were restricting both electoral scrutiny and the public’s ability to demonstrate.

NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule said the Constitution was facing serious challenges and affirmed that the opposition’s joint campaign against alleged vote manipulation would continue.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut launched a sharp attack on Kumar, accusing him of damaging institutional accountability. Raut said the opposition would continue its struggle under Gandhi’s leadership.

Trinamool Congress leader Sagarika Ghose alleged that the Election Commission under Kumar was undermining free and fair elections. She said opposition parties would persist with their demand for his removal and called for criminal proceedings against officials allegedly involved in electoral irregularities. Ghose also questioned the legitimacy of the West Bengal government, alleging that its position was linked to vote manipulation.

Neha Bora alleged that the BJP had shown insufficient commitment to protecting democratic institutions and the Constitution.

Civil society representative Prashant Bhushan stressed that peaceful protest was a constitutional right. He said opposition parties and civil society groups were working together to defend democratic principles.

The meeting followed the opposition’s protest march to the Supreme Court and came amid continuing demands for Kumar’s resignation. Participants indicated that they intended to maintain pressure through coordinated demonstrations and other forms of public mobilisation.

The opposition’s allegations of electoral wrongdoing and its criticism of the Election Commission remain central to the ongoing political confrontation. The INDIA bloc has pledged to continue its campaign, while its leaders are seeking greater accountability from the country’s electoral institutions.