Mallikarjun Kharge hosts second INDIA bloc lunch as opposition steps up protests against CEC

What happened in Delhi

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has hosted opposition alliance MPs for a second consecutive lunch in Delhi, using the gathering to coordinate an escalating street campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The lunch, held at Moets restaurant in Connaught Place on Thursday, follows two days of dramatic standoffs between opposition leaders and Delhi Police. On Wednesday, police detained several senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, during a march towards Jantar Mantar.

Following that confrontation, Delhi Police registered a fresh first information report (FIR) against both Gandhis on Thursday, accusing them of obstructing government work and assaulting police personnel during the protest.

Nationwide protests spread

The political tension has rapidly spread beyond the capital. Nationwide demonstrations took place on Thursday, with Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav leading a march to Raj Bhavan in Patna, and joint protests reported in Nagpur, Jammu, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. In Hyderabad, Telangana minister Mohammed Azharuddin joined calls for the election chief's departure, describing peaceful protest as a constitutional right.

Inside the alliance, the dispute is being framed as an existential battle. "This is a do-or-die fight for us to protect the voters," Congress MP KC Venugopal said outside the lunch venue, accusing the government and the chief election commissioner of destroying Indian democracy. Venugopal confirmed that the alliance has requested an urgent meeting with President Droupadi Murmu to raise their concerns, having sent formal requests on 2 and 5 October.

Security forces deploy in strength

The protests have triggered a massive security response, with police and Rapid Action Force personnel barricading roads and cordoning off the area around Connaught Place on Thursday. Outside the restaurant, minor clashes broke out, with one man claiming he was beaten by Congress supporters after shouting pro-government slogans. Security was also tightened at Raj Ghat, where opposition MPs planned to march to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

The opposition's campaign stems from allegations of widespread irregularities in the electoral rolls, which they have termed "vote chori", or vote theft. In Telangana, Congress MLA Naveen Yadav alleged that notices over mapping discrepancies had been issued to around 10 million voters, warning against the deletion of genuine voters over minor clerical errors.

Despite the detentions, fresh police cases, and criticism from the ruling BJP—which accused the opposition of provoking anarchy on the streets while the matter is before the Supreme Court—alliance leaders insist they will not back down. CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar said the movement would continue to gain momentum, adding that student and youth organisations are set to join the protests. "We are not going to stop protesting till Gyanesh Kumar resigns," Rahul Gandhi said.