Opposition launches ‘mission to restore democracy’, plans INDIA Plus alliance

Opposition parties on Tuesday announced a joint “mission to restore democracy” and proposed the formation of an expanded platform called INDIA Plus, bringing together political parties, student organisations, activists and civil society groups to intensify their campaign against the Centre's restrictions on public demonstrations and alleged irregularities in the electoral process.

The decision was taken at a meeting hosted by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi at his official residence in Delhi, a day after thousands of protesters participated in the INDIA bloc's march towards the Supreme Court. The leaders agreed to challenge the Union government's decision to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites while continuing smaller demonstrations and preparing for further mobilisation.

The meeting, which lasted more than two hours, also discussed the possibility of organising a mock Parliament and conducting surprise protests at short notice. However, the Opposition decided to await the Supreme Court's response to its petition against the functioning of the Election Commission before organising another major march in central Delhi.

𝗥𝗮𝗵𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Gandhi said the Opposition parties had agreed to pursue a common campaign rather than organise separate demonstrations. He maintained that the movement was intended to defend constitutional freedoms and challenge what the Opposition described as the erosion of democratic institutions.

"We are all standing here together as one. As I said yesterday, there are no parallel protests. There is one singular protest, and the protest has one mission: restoration of democracy in India," Gandhi said.

Accusing the government of undermining democratic institutions, Gandhi alleged that the electoral system and constitutional safeguards had been seriously compromised. He said the Opposition would continue its campaign until what he described as genuine democratic governance was restored.

Gandhi also thanked the people of Delhi and other parts of the country for supporting Monday's demonstration, arguing that the mobilisation reflected public concern extending beyond political parties.

He maintained that ordinary citizens had played a central role in the protest and that the Opposition's campaign would continue with their participation.

𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱

One of the major decisions at the meeting was to establish INDIA Plus, an expanded platform intended to bring together political parties, students, activists and other organisations participating in the campaign.

The proposed grouping would build on the existing INDIA bloc by incorporating organisations and individuals outside conventional party structures. Opposition leaders believe that such a platform could help coordinate demonstrations, strengthen public participation and sustain the movement beyond individual political events.

Student organisations and civil society representatives were among those who attended Tuesday's meeting, reflecting the proposed wider composition of the alliance.

The participants also reviewed Monday's march towards the Supreme Court and expressed satisfaction with the scale of mobilisation. Several leaders described the demonstration as an important development in their campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱

The Centre's decision to de-notify Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site emerged as a major point of contention during the meeting. The Union Home Ministry has instead notified Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi as designated locations for demonstrations.

Gandhi said Jantar Mantar had historically provided a platform for citizens to express their grievances and democratic aspirations. He questioned the government's decision to remove the site from the list of permitted protest locations and said the Opposition would challenge the move.

The Congress leader maintained that the government could not prevent citizens from exercising their democratic rights merely by changing the status of a traditional protest venue.

Several other Opposition leaders criticised the decision, arguing that restrictions on demonstrations at Jantar Mantar would further narrow the space available for peaceful political expression.

The Opposition indicated that decentralised protests at Jantar Mantar would continue despite the government's notification, although the authorities' position on the venue remained unchanged.

𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗖 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲

According to leaders who attended the meeting, the INDIA bloc decided against immediately organising another large demonstration in central Delhi because its petition concerning the Election Commission was already before the Supreme Court.

A senior Opposition leader said the grouping would await the court's response before deciding on another major march, while continuing smaller programmes and public meetings.

The petition, filed by Gandhi and 10 other Opposition leaders, seeks an independent, time-bound inquiry into decisions allegedly taken unilaterally by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, including matters relating to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The petition also seeks suspension of the ongoing revision exercise pending the proposed inquiry. The Supreme Court registry has flagged 14 procedural defects in the filing, including missing authorisations and deficiencies in supporting documents, which the petitioners' legal team must address before the matter can proceed.

The allegations against the Election Commission remain contested, and no judicial finding establishing the claimed irregularities has been reported.

𝗠𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀

Opposition functionaries said the meeting also discussed a preliminary proposal to organise a mock Parliament focusing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The proposed event would provide another platform for Opposition leaders to raise allegations concerning electoral administration, constitutional institutions and the government's handling of public protests.

Gandhi also asked leaders to remain prepared for surprise mobilisations that could be organised within 24 hours. The suggestion indicated that the Opposition intended to retain flexibility in planning demonstrations rather than announce every programme well in advance.

CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby criticised the restrictions on Jantar Mantar, linking them to the Opposition's allegations of electoral malpractice. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also attacked the Election Commission's leadership and said the protests would continue under Gandhi's leadership.

𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱

The meeting at Gandhi's residence on Sunehri Bagh Road was attended by Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, Rashtriya Janata Dal leaders Tejashwi Yadav and Manoj Jha, and representatives of the Samajwadi Party.

Other participants included CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby, CPI general secretary D Raja, CPI(ML) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Mahua Maji, Kerala Congress leader Jose K Mani and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan.

Student representatives included All India Students' Association president Neha Bora and Students' Federation of India leader Aishee Ghosh. Activists Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan also attended.

Bora said the campaign represented a broader struggle over democratic rights and the Constitution, accusing the BJP-led government of attempting to suppress protests by citizens demanding protection of their voting rights.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀

Tuesday's meeting came against the backdrop of heightened political tensions following Monday's march towards the Supreme Court, during which police imposed restrictions on movement and erected barricades in central Delhi.

Delhi Police have registered four FIRs in connection with the demonstration over alleged violations of prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Two cases were registered at Tilak Marg police station, while Mandir Marg and Barakhamba Road police stations registered one each.

The Opposition has criticised the restrictions as excessive and has maintained that peaceful assembly is a constitutional right. Authorities have cited prohibitory orders and public order considerations in connection with the police action.

The formation of INDIA Plus, if carried forward, would mark an attempt by the Opposition to broaden its campaign beyond parliamentary parties and establish a coordinated political and civil society movement.

For now, the grouping has decided to pursue two parallel courses: continuing public demonstrations against restrictions on protest activity while awaiting the Supreme Court's response to its challenge concerning the Election Commission.