INDIA bloc finalises anti-SIR plan as DMK stays away

The INDIA bloc on Wednesday, 30 September finalised a six-point ‘Save Democracy’ action plan for a joint agitation over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, news outlets report. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced the plan after a meeting of 19 parties in New Delhi, which included nationwide rallies from 2 October, district-level protests, a march by MPs to the Election Commission on 6 October, a meeting with the President in the second week of October, and a mega rally in Delhi on 1 November, ThePrint reports.

The DMK said it would not attend the meeting and asserted it is no longer part of the INDIA bloc, following the Congress aligning with the TVK in Tamil Nadu, India TV reports. DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan said the party would support in Parliament any move to remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar, though it is not part of the bloc, The Federal reports. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also skipped the meeting, sending representatives due to Rajya Sabha poll nominations, the Times of India reports. The meeting saw leaders back a joint legal challenge and a return to ballot paper voting, with Rahul Gandhi stressing teamwork to save the election process, ThePrint adds.

Update, 1 October 2026: New Indian Express and Times Now confirm the six-point plan and the DMK's absence. The New Indian Express adds details of Rahul Gandhi's remarks on collective action and Kapil Sibal's proposal for a Supreme Court challenge to the 2023 CEC appointment law. Times Now reports the BJP's 'Save Dynasty' counter. The DMK's stance is further clarified: it will support the removal motion in Parliament but is not part of the bloc.