'Will Rahul Gandhi become the prime ministerial face in the upcoming 2029 Lok Sabha polls?' -- the question received no answer from Trinamool Congress
(TMC) supremo and Congress' INDIA bloc ally Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday. The former West Bengal Chief Minister chose not to comment when asked whether Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would be the opposition parties' prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 general elections. Responding to the question after the INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi, Banerjee remained silent and simply said, "We will hold a press conference tomorrow." Her response came after a crucial meeting of the INDIA bloc partners was held in the national capital, focussing primarily on the ongoing confrontation with the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The INDIA bloc meeting, held at the Constitution Club, brought together leaders from several opposition parties to discuss a joint strategy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the functioning of the Election Commission and demands for action against Gyanesh Kumar.
Mamata's New Name For Gyanesh Kumar
Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the SIR of electoral rolls and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi on Wednesday, referring to Kumar as “Vanish Kumar”, sources said.Mamata was speaking at the Opposition meeting convened to chalk out a joint strategy on the SIR exercise and the Election Commission. The bloc also discussed demands for Kumar's removal amid the continuing row over the revision of electoral rolls.
According to sources, Mamata questioned the manner in which the SIR exercise had been conducted and described the process as “botched-up”. She also raised what she called “vote loot” through the exercise, sources said.
INDIA Bloc Announces ‘Save Democracy’ Marches
Addressing the INDIA bloc meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday (September 30) announced a series of protests by the multi-party Opposition bloc over the special intensive revision (SIR) controversy, including district-level "Save Democracy" marches, a march by Opposition MPs to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and a mega rally in Delhi.Kharge said that the Opposition parties, along with social groups, would hold “Save Democracy” marches across districts from October 2 to October 8.
"We have prepared a programme for INDIA bloc parties and social groups. From October 2 to October 8, we will do a ‘Save Democracy’ march at the district level,” Kharge said.
