He proposed that the re-elections be conducted using ballot papers rather than electronic voting machines.
The demand comes after the Trinamool Congress lost power in West Bengal in the April 2026 assembly elections, while the BJP-led alliance retained power in Maharashtra after the November 2024 assembly polls.
The INDIA bloc finalised plans for joint rallies and “save democracy marches” over the SIR issue. The Opposition also plans to march to the Election Commission’s office in Delhi on 6 October.
In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena are scheduled to hold a joint protest in Mumbai on 4 October over SIR.
Thackeray’s remarks came amid a broader Opposition campaign against the Election Commission. The Congress Working Committee had earlier demanded the removal of Kumar and suspension of SIR, while Opposition parties have been seeking coordinated action on the issue.
The meeting was attended by representatives of 19 political parties and lasted more than three-and-a-half hours, according to the report.
About the Author
