Rahul Gandhi calls INDIA bloc tea meet after March for Democracy

Rahul Gandhi has called INDIA bloc MPs, civil society members and student groups for a tea meeting in Delhi. The outreach comes as the Opposition sharpens its response to alleged poll irregularities after the march and Supreme Court petition.Stock photo used for illustrationNewdelhi,Oct 13, 2026 08:28 ISTLeader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has invited INDIA bloc MPs, along with members of civil society and student organisations, for tea at his residence on Tuesday, sources said. A joint press conference of INDIA bloc leaders will be held before the meeting.The meeting comes a day after Opposition leaders, activists and civil society members held a "March for Democracy" in Delhi and moved the Supreme Court with a joint petition over SIR and alleged poll irregularities. Sources said discussions are also expected on a joint protest strategy against "vote chori" and on pressing for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation."Following today's March for Democracy and the submission of the petition ... a joint press conference of INDIA leaders will be held tomorrow afternoon, followed by tea. I invite you to join me at my residence at 5, Sunehri Bagh Road, New Delhi, at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, 13th October," the invite sent out on Monday said.On Monday, a large crowd carrying flags and posters gathered in Connaught Place for the march. Among those who took part were Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Leaders of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, CPI's D Raja, CPI-M leader M A Baby, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav and NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule. The protesters crossed one barricade at Bhagwan Dass Road but were stopped at a second barricade on the same road. Later, senior INDIA bloc leaders went to the Supreme Court to file their petition. The petition has made the Election Commission of India, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi parties in the case.The developments followed the Chief Justice of India declining a request to meet the Leaders of Opposition on the issue, saying the matter is sub judice. The tea meeting at Gandhi's residence is expected to take forward the Opposition's response after the march, the petition and the latest court developments. - Ends