Mallikarjun Kharge used the Wednesday luncheon at Moets to rally the India bloc, which includes Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav and Mamata Banerjee. Buses waited outside the restaurant, echoing the chaotic scene at Sagar Ratna the day before, as MPs prepared to head to Rajghat for a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Delays and detentions have marked the opposition’s campaign: last week police stopped MPs en route to Jantar Mantar, detaining senior leaders and filing FIRs for obstruction. Delhi Police now maintains a 24‑hour presence around the EC headquarters, Kumar’s residence and the EC office, citing heightened threat perception.
The opposition’s broader agenda is evident in the India bloc’s request for a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu. Rashtrapati Bhavan agreed to a delegation of 10 MPs on Friday, down from the 15 the bloc sought, to petition against the poll panel’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision process.
Amidst this, Rahul Gandhi publicly declared his target of 100 FIRs, a response to the 45 filed against him so far. The leaders claim the protest will force the EC to address the 14 recorded objections raised by senior commissioners over the past 10 months.
As the bus convoy moves to Rajghat, the opposition will present grievances to the Chief Election Commissioner, and the next day they will meet the President to seek a resolution. The outcome of Friday’s meeting could shape future electoral reforms and the EC’s operational autonomy.