Opposition unity remains firm over alleged electoral irregularities; leaders pledge continued fight to protect democracy and the Constitution

 NEW DELHI: The INDIA bloc will continue its campaign against alleged electoral irregularities and “vote theft”, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserting that the opposition will not relent until its objectives are achieved. Addressing a press conference after a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders in New Delhi on Tuesday, Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of undermining the transparency of the electoral process.

Alleging that the alleged manipulation of elections threatened citizens’ democratic rights, Gandhi said the issue went beyond political parties and concerned the future of Indian democracy. He described Modi as the alleged “mastermind” behind vote theft, while accusing Shah and Kumar of being involved in its implementation.

Gandhi said opposition parties would remain united in their campaign to safeguard the Constitution and democratic institutions. He also raised concerns over restrictions on protests at Jantar Mantar, alleging that attempts were being made to curb the opposition’s democratic right to protest.

“We will not stop,” Gandhi said, reiterating that the INDIA bloc would continue its struggle until it achieved its objectives. He declined to disclose the opposition’s next course of action in detail but expressed confidence in the judicial process.

 Tejashwi, Raut step up attack on Election Commission

 Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the Centre of attempting to exert control over constitutional institutions and said the campaign against the Chief Election Commissioner would continue. He also questioned the restrictions on protests at Jantar Mantar, alleging that the opposition was being prevented from raising its concerns.

 Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut launched a sharp attack on Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the electoral system had been criminalised. He said the campaign against the Chief Election Commissioner would continue under Gandhi’s leadership and asserted that the protest would be extended to other states.

Raut also targeted Modi and Shah, claiming that the opposition’s campaign had put the ruling leadership under pressure.

NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule reaffirmed her party’s support for the INDIA bloc’s campaign, saying the Constitution and citizens’ rights needed to be protected. She said the movement should reach beyond Delhi and extend to villages across the country. She also reiterated that her party and the Shiv Sena (UBT) would remain with the opposition alliance.

 Opposition leaders attend strategy meeting

 The meeting was attended by Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Sule, CPI leader D. Raja, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, Yogendra Yadav and Sachin Pilot, among others.

Maharashtra was represented by Raut and Congress MPs Vishal Patil, Varsha Gaikwad, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Pratibha Dhanorkar, Balwant Wankhade, Kalyan Kale, Praniti Shinde, Prashant Padole, Shyamkumar Barve and Nilesh Lanke.

The meeting comes amid the opposition’s demand for Kumar’s resignation and allegations of irregularities in the electoral process. The INDIA bloc leaders reiterated that electoral transparency, voters’ rights and the protection of the Constitution would remain central to their campaign.