NEW DELHI, October 12, 2026 : Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has announced that leaders of the INDIA bloc will march to the Supreme Court on Monday and file a petition against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of “vote chori” (vote theft).
Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters, Indira Bhawan, Gandhi escalated his criticism of the Election Commission and called on Kumar to resign and become an approver, alleging that more powerful figures were behind the decisions under question.
“Resign, turn approver; you have made a mistake, but you are not the mind behind the mistake,” Gandhi said, directing his remarks at the CEC.
He also issued a sharp warning to Kumar, claiming that the opposition would continue its campaign until accountability was established.
The allegations and demands form part of the opposition’s broader campaign over electoral integrity, the functioning of the Election Commission and the protection of democratic institutions.
INDIA Bloc Announces ‘Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy’
The opposition has planned a march under the banner “Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy”, culminating in the filing of a petition before the Supreme Court.
According to Gandhi, opposition leaders had previously written to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), who directed them to file a petition.
INDIA bloc leaders gathered near the Connaught Place–Barakhamba Road junction in New Delhi ahead of the planned march.
Appealing to citizens to participate, Gandhi said the movement was intended to defend the Constitution and democracy rather than advance the interests of any individual political leader or party.
In a message posted on X using the hashtag #ChaloDilli, he invited people from across the political spectrum to join the campaign, including those who might disagree with the opposition on other issues.
He also urged citizens unable to attend the march to express solidarity when the petition was scheduled to be filed at 3 PM.
Rahul Gandhi Calls for CEC’s Resignation
Gandhi intensified his attack on Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the opposition was confronting influential forces beyond the Election Commission chief himself.
He claimed that approximately 200 government officers were in contact with the opposition and sharing information with them. These assertions were made by Gandhi and were not independently established in the provided report.
The Congress leader maintained that the campaign would continue for as long as necessary, whether it took days, months or years.
He also argued that public resistance against the alleged electoral irregularities had grown stronger and was now visible through protests.
Describing the demonstrations as a “tandav”, Gandhi invoked the imagery of Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance and said people from different backgrounds could join the movement.
‘Fight to Save the Constitution’
Gandhi repeatedly framed the campaign as a struggle to protect India’s constitutional framework and the democratic rights of citizens.
He said the movement was not about Rahul Gandhi or Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally, but about the country’s Constitution, the expression of the people’s will and India’s future.
The Congress leader also called on opposition parties, young people and political workers to participate, insisting that the campaign would continue until the opposition’s demands were addressed.
He claimed that the movement was gaining ground on several fronts and said Indians should not be intimidated by political pressure.
Gandhi further asserted that the Constitution must be upheld, the Election Commissioner must be held accountable and the electoral system must be reformed.
Delhi Turned Into a Fortress, Alleges Gandhi
Questioning the security restrictions imposed across the national capital, Gandhi alleged that Delhi had effectively been turned into a fortress to prevent people from joining the protest.
He questioned why citizens were allegedly being stopped from reaching the capital by buses and trains and criticised the heavy deployment of police personnel.
Gandhi argued that barricades and restrictions could not prevent people from forming their own opinions about the controversy.
He also alleged that the government was protecting the CEC and claimed that the visible security arrangements would strengthen the opposition’s political argument.
The Congress leader questioned why police personnel were being directed to stop demonstrators and alleged that young protesters were facing force.
These claims reflect the opposition’s account of the security measures surrounding the planned demonstration.
Opposition Cites Report on Election Commissioners’ Objections
The opposition’s demand for the CEC’s resignation has also been linked to a report published by The Indian Express.
According to the report cited in the supplied account, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over the preceding 10 months, primarily concerning decisions and orders related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The report has become part of the political debate surrounding the Election Commission’s internal deliberations and decision-making procedures.
Responding to questions about the objections, the Election Commission maintained that differing views and observations are normal within institutions. It also asserted that its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.
The dispute has intensified calls from opposition parties for greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Political Confrontation Over Electoral Integrity Intensifies
The planned Supreme Court petition marks another stage in the opposition’s campaign over alleged electoral irregularities.
Gandhi said the movement would continue until the opposition’s concerns about electoral integrity, constitutional protections and institutional accountability were addressed.
He also urged supporters not to fear political pressure, arguing that the future and dignity of India’s citizens were at stake.
The controversy has placed the Election Commission, the central government and opposition parties at the centre of a widening political confrontation.
The key development to watch is the filing of the INDIA bloc’s petition before the Supreme Court and whether the legal proceedings lead to further scrutiny of the opposition’s allegations against the Election Commission.
The allegations of vote theft remain contested, and their legal merits will depend on the evidence presented and the court’s consideration of the matter.
