The INDIA bloc convened a meeting in Jammu on Saturday, 3 October to map out its next steps against the Election Commission of India (ECI), as the Opposition alliance escalated its campaign demanding the removal and prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The gathering forms part of a wider pan-India offensive the bloc launched between 2 October and 8 October, centred on what it calls a crisis of electoral integrity.

What the Meeting Covered

The Jammu session was chaired by senior Congress leader and former minister Raman Bhalla, who has been at the forefront of the alliance's agitation in Jammu and Kashmir. Participants reviewed the bloc's ongoing mobilisation strategy and discussed further demonstrations under the 'Save Democracy' campaign, which includes district-level rallies across the country.

The meeting follows a round of protests the Congress held across Jammu and Kashmir on 28 September, during which Bhalla publicly called for transparency and accountability in the poll panel's functioning.

Core Allegations Against the ECI

The INDIA bloc has alleged that the Election Commission has undergone what it describes as 'institutional capture,' rendering it unable to function as an independent constitutional authority. Opposition leaders have specifically accused CEC Gyanesh Kumar of failing to address serious questions over the mass deletion of voter names — reportedly more than 13 crore entries dropped during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls — and have moved to file an impeachment notice against him.

The alliance has demanded Kumar's resignation, removal, prosecution, and arrest, framing the deletions as alleged 'vote theft' that undermines democratic participation.

Broader Campaign Demands

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other alliance leaders have called for a return to paper ballot voting in place of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). They have also demanded that pre-SIR electoral rolls be used for all future elections, arguing that the revised rolls cannot be trusted.

As part of the week-long campaign, Opposition Members of Parliament announced a planned march to the Election Commission office in New Delhi on 6 October, a move that signals the bloc's intent to take the fight directly to the poll body's headquarters.

Context and What Comes Next

This is not the first time the INDIA bloc has trained its fire on the ECI — concerns over EVMs and electoral roll accuracy have been recurring flashpoints since the 2024 general election. However, the demand for a sitting CEC's impeachment marks a notable escalation in the Opposition's posture.

The Jammu meeting reflects the alliance's effort to sustain grassroots momentum ahead of the October 6 Delhi march, which is expected to draw MPs from multiple constituent parties. Whether the campaign translates into formal parliamentary action will depend on the bloc's ability to maintain unity and public attention in the days ahead.