Indian Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday invited leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc, members of parliament, student representatives and civil society activists to his residence for high tea, saying they are united in an unrelenting movement to protect democracy.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the former Congress president stressed solidarity among political parties and activist groups, declaring that “all protests are one”.
He said the participants would jointly address the media after the meeting to present their collective position.
Sources said discussions at Gandhi’s 5 Sunehri Bagh Road residence would focus on developing a coordinated plan for nationwide demonstrations against alleged “vote theft”. The meeting would also seek to intensify demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.
The meeting came a day after opposition leaders staged a “March for Democracy” in central New Delhi, breaching initial security barricades on Bhagwan Dass Road before proceeding to the Supreme Court of India.
Senior leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and senior Left leaders, jointly submitted a petition over the alleged irregularities.
The petition named the Election Commission and senior election commissioners as respondents.
The move came after the Chief Justice of India declined to meet the opposition leaders directly, citing the sub judice status of the matter.
