Rahul Gandhi met INDIA bloc leaders, activists and students after a protest march to the Supreme Court. The gathering signalled a joint push to challenge alleged electoral wrongdoing and defend democratic institutions.
Newdelhi,Oct 13, 2026 18:56 IST
The opposition INDIA bloc and civil society groups on Tuesday said they would fight together for what they called the restoration of the democratic process in the country. After a meeting with opposition leaders, civil society members and student leaders, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the political and people’s resistance would continue and would triumph.
Gandhi also said the opposition was committed to ensuring that those who had indulged in what he called "vote chori" were brought to justice. Naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, he said action would be taken against those responsible.
Speaking to reporters after the deliberations at his residence, Gandhi said, "We have extreme respect for the Supreme Court, for the Chief Justice of India, for the judicial system. They have a role to play; we hope they will play that role." He added, "No matter what happens, no matter which institution plays a role or not, political resistance will continue, people’s resistance will continue and it will triumph."
He said it was not possible for some people to "destroy" India’s Constitution and get away with it. "It is our commitment that the people who have done this — Mr Modi, who is the main architect, Amit Shah, who is implementor, Gyanesh Kumar and others — they need to understand that the net is closing around them... We assure you that all would be brought to justice," he said.
Gandhi had hosted leaders of the INDIA bloc along with members of civil society and student leaders for tea at his 5, Sunehri Bagh Road residence. Those present included Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, RJD leaders Tejashwi Yadav and Manoj Jha, JMM’s Mahua Maji, SP leaders Harender Malik, Anand Bhadauria and Mohibullah Nadvi, CPI(M)’s M A Baby, CPI leaders D Raja and P Sandosh Kumar, AISA chief Neha Bora, CPI(ML)’s Dipankar Bhattacharya and TMC leader Mahua Moitra.
Gandhi also thanked people for joining the large protest on the streets after the march to the Supreme Court on Monday. He said what was seen during the protest was "an expression not of political parties standing here, but of the people of India" and added, "We thank them for their support." He also said there were no separate protests and that everyone was together in the fight to restore democracy in the country.
The meeting and Gandhi’s remarks underscored a joint push by the INDIA bloc and civil society groups, with the opposition saying it would continue both political and public resistance while seeking the restoration of the democratic process.
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