Business

Oppn & ‘cockroaches’ to hit streets over EC row

By Sohail Khan 1 October 2026, 1:14 pm

Benchmarks
Nifty22,343.60-276.86

FEATURED FUNDS★★★★★

Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct-Growth

5Y Return
19.86 %

Invest Now

Enter search text:

Business News›News›Politics›March fest in October: Opposition & 'cockroaches' to hit streets over EC row, Gyanesh Kumar's resignation

Read Today's Paper

March fest in October: Opposition & 'cockroaches' to hit streets over EC row, Gyanesh Kumar's resignation
Synopsis

The opposition alliance, known as INDIA bloc, will conduct protests against the Election Commission from October 2. This includes district-level marches, an appointment with the President, and other demonstrations planned throughout October. The Cockroach Janta Party will also engage in a Jail Bharo Andolan at Shivaji Park, Mumbai, on the same date. Both groups are demanding transparency in electoral processes and reforms in election governance.

Listen to this article in summarized format

Loading…
×
×

Unlock AI Briefing and Premium Content

New Year Offer 24 Hours Left
Already a member? Sign In

What's Included

Exclusive Stories
Daily ePaper Access
Smart Market Tools
Curated Investment Ideas
Ad-lite Experience
Subscription

INDIA bloc, CJP to hit streets from October 2 over EC, SIR and electoral rolls (AI Image)

The opposition INDIA bloc and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) are set to step up protests against the Election Commission from October 2, with the two announcing programmes against electoral-roll revisions, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and the functioning of the poll panel.

The INDIA bloc will hold district-level “Save Democracy” marches and demonstrations outside district magistrates’ offices from October 2 to 8, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said after a meeting of the opposition alliance.

'Save Democracy' march

On October 6, all Opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission in New Delhi. The bloc also plans to seek an appointment with the President in the second week of October to submit a representation on what it describes as difficulties and constitutional concerns relating to the electoral process.

Five large rallies are also planned, with dates and venues to be announced later.

Also Read: INDIA bloc announces 'Save Democracy' marches from Oct 2; Rahul Gandhi says 'democracy is bigger than any individual'

Kharge said the alliance would seek greater transparency in electoral-roll revisions and push for the use of electoral rolls prepared before SIR in future elections. The bloc has also sought constituency-wise and booth-wise disclosure of additions, deletions and corrections, prior notice and reasons before a voter’s name is removed, and an effective appeal mechanism.

The alliance has additionally backed a return to ballot-paper voting.

CJP plans 'Jail Bharo Andolan' in Mumbai

Separately, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has announced a 'Jail Bharo Andolan' at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on October 2, after Mumbai Police denied permission for the outfit’s planned Gandhi Jayanti protest at the venue.

“Jail Bharo Andolan in Mumbai. October 2, Shivaji Park. #SaveDemocracy,” Dipke said in a post on X on Monday.

Dipke had warned a day earlier that CJP would launch the agitation if it was not allowed to hold its planned protest.

Mumbai Police said it was not empowered to grant permission for a gathering at Shivaji Park under existing court directions and government guidelines. The organisers were advised to consider an alternative venue in Mumbai, where their application could be considered.

CJP’s October 2 demonstration is part of its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission.

Also Read: ‘Jail Bharo’ on Gandhi Jayanti: CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke announces October 2 protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park

CJP has demanded Kumar’s resignation and initiation of criminal proceedings against him, a freeze on the SIR exercise and restoration of the January 2025 voter list. It has also called for repeal of the 2023 law governing the appointment of election commissioners and broader reforms to the poll body.

CJP had earlier announced plans to begin a nationwide agitation from Mumbai if Kumar did not resign.

SIR controversy

The protests come amid a continuing controversy over the Election Commission’s handling of SIR and reported differences within the three-member poll panel.

The controversy follows an report last week that said two of the Election Commission’s three members had recorded objections at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions related to the voter-roll overhaul, including the addition and deletion of names.

The Election Commission has rejected suggestions of a split within the three-member Commission. It has said differences of opinion and observations are part of normal internal deliberations and maintained that decisions relating to SIR were taken unanimously.

The Commission has also said its orders and administrative directions carry legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.

Form 6 issue

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has withdrawn the additional SIR declaration from the online voter enrolment Form 6 in states where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is complete. The requirement had drawn objections from two of the Commission's three members.

The declaration asked new applicants to furnish details linking themselves, or their parents or grandparents, to electoral rolls prepared during an earlier intensive revision. It remains available on the ECINET portal in states and Union territories where SIR is still underway.

Also Read: Election Commission rolls back SIR add-on in Form 6 for new voters in states where revision is complete

The change came days after a September 26 meeting of the full Commission, comprising Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

Joshi had objected to changes relating to Form 6, arguing that a form prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 cannot be modified without amending the rules. Sandhu concurred and later described the addition of the declaration as “unauthorised/illegal”.

The Commission has maintained that Form 6 itself was never amended and that the declaration was an additional SIR-specific requirement. It has said that outside the SIR period, the forms prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 will be used.

Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
Add Now!

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

Read More News on
Election Commissionelectoral roll revisionsCJP marchesINDIA bloc protestsGyanesh Kumar resignationSave Democracy marchJail Bharo AndolanCJP demandsECI

Enter search text:

Continue reading with one of these options:
Limited Access
Free
Login to get access to some exclusive stories

& personalised newsletters
Login Now

Unlimited Access
Starting @ Rs120/month
Get access to exclusive stories, expert opinions &

in-depth stock reports
Subscribe Now

Unlock Access to All Exclusives with ETPrime FREE TRIAL

15 Days Free: Unlock All ETPrime Exclusives, Market Tools & ePapers

Trial offer expiring in00 : 05 : 00

I'd rather pay ₹2599 now

Uh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.

Worry not. You’re just a step away.

Prime Account Detected!

It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with

Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.

Unlock ETPrime's Exclusive Stories Today!

Subscribe to gain powerful insights on business, stock market and industry trends.

Big Price Drop! Flat 40% Off

Student Only Offer

Already a Member? Sign In now

Already a Member? Sign In now
Already a Member? Sign In now

Offer Exclusively For You

Save up to Rs. 700/-

ON ET PRIME MEMBERSHIP

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get Flat 40% Off

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

ET Prime at ₹ 49 for 1 month

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Special Offer

Get flat 40% off on ETPrime

Avail Offer
Avail Offer

Claim NowAlready a Member? Sign In now

Need Assistance?

Connect with an ETPrime expert for personalized support and guidance

+91 9484700004

' + h3 + '

' + h4 + '

' + listing + '

What’s Included with

ETPrime Membership

1Exclusive Insights That Matter

Uncover the truth with our investigative stories

Make strategic moves using the real-world case studies

Read industry-specific stories to identify emerging trends

Spot opportunities with in-depth insights that matter

Trump temper on H-1B visas is forcing Indians to do these things to stay put in US

What Adani’s US indictment means for India Inc’s overseas fundraising
Why veterans like Reliance, L&T are on acquisition spree? Aswath Damodaran has an answer.

Will China’s dollar bond sale in Saudi Arabia trump the US in financial world?
Huawei launches its own OS to compete with Google and Apple. But can it win beyond China?

The problem with lab grown diamonds
Why a falling rupee is a better option for the economy

A list of top 20 momentum stocks that have delivered massive returns in one year