The INDIA bloc’s plan for a march to the Election Commission on October 6 has exposed continuing differences within the opposition alliance, with the Aam Aadmi Party and DMK staying away from the September 30 meeting and the announced programme.
The opposition grouping met in New Delhi to coordinate a campaign over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and its demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The alliance announced a series of joint programmes, including “Save Democracy” marches from October 2 to 8 and a march by opposition MPs to the Election Commission on October 6. AAP and DMK were absent from the meeting.
AAP has separately organised protests over the issue, while DMK has not joined the INDIA bloc’s announced programmes. Reports have linked the two parties’ reluctance to participate in Congress-led joint events to their separate political positions and electoral contests with the Congress in several states.
The INDIA bloc had also indicated that it would seek support from parties outside the alliance for its wider campaign. Reports said outreach was attempted to leaders including former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, but no broader participation by AAP or DMK emerged for the October 6 action.
The development comes as opposition parties seek to present a coordinated response to the Election Commission over electoral-roll revision and related concerns. The planned campaign includes district-level mobilisation and further rallies, while differences over participation underline the separate political interests of parties involved.
