Ten opposition leaders met President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on October 9, 2026, delivering a memorandum alleging electoral fraud. Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi claimed the President did not dismiss their assertions, whereas Rashtrapati Bhavan sources labeled that claim baseless.
INDIA Bloc Leaders Present Memorandum at Rashtrapati Bhavan
A delegation of 10 opposition leaders met with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the evening of October 9, 2026. The meeting followed three days of protests in the national capital concerning the functioning of the Election Commission and demands for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who took office as India’s 26th Chief Election Commissioner on February 26, 2025, after serving as a 1988 Kerala cadre IAS officer.
The visiting delegation included Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, Rajya Sabha Opposition Leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby, CPI General Secretary D. Raja, NCP leader Supriya Sule, RJD MP Manoj Jha, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan. The leaders submitted a formal memorandum alleging a conspiracy against Indian democracy involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Rahul Gandhi Claims Silence While Rashtrapati Bhavan Denies Agreement
Gandhi added that while the President did not express disagreement with their statements, she requested concrete evidence to support the claims of electoral irregularities. He maintained that the truth about vote leakage is known across the country and asserted that evidence would be provided when requested, noting that 24 elections had been subverted.
Police Barricades Block Parliament March Prior to Meeting
Earlier in the evening, INDIA bloc MPs organized a march from Parliament toward Rashtrapati Bhavan. Delhi Police deployed barricades and ropes at Vijay Chowk to halt the procession, prompting parliamentarians including Priyanka Gandhi, K.C. Venugopal, and others to sit on the road in protest.
Despite the street-level blockades, the ten designated representatives proceeded to their scheduled appointment at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Mamata Banerjee noted that the President’s approach during the meeting was receptive, with assurances that authorities would examine the details provided proper evidence is submitted.
Opposition Plans Next Steps Before the Supreme Court
The opposition coalition’s demands include the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an end to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, and the restoration of names that opposition figures claim were removed from voter lists.
Following their visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the INDIA bloc announced plans to submit a formal memorandum to the Chief Justice of India, continuing a campaign of nationwide demonstrations against the central government and the Election Commission.