Congress chief Kharge to host dinner for INDIA bloc MPs on Monday

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is scheduled to host a dinner for the MPs of the INDIA bloc on Monday. The gathering aims to reinforce the opposition coalition’s unity as they prepare for a march to the Election Commission on August 11, protesting against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and allegations of voter fraud. 

The opposition parties calling themselves the INDIA bloc—short for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance—have argued that the SIR could disenfranchise voters in both rural and urban areas. This dinner follows a recent meeting at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s residence, where top opposition figures reaffirmed their opposition to what they describe as the “vote chori model.” 

The protest is a continued push during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, where both Houses have experienced disruptions over the SIR issue. The march scheduled for Monday afternoon involves around 300 MPs walking from Parliament to the Election Commission’s office to submit a memorandum urging transparency and safeguards in the electoral process.