The meeting, being held at the Constitution Club of India, is focused on concerns raised by the parties regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), and the functioning of the Election Commission.
Alleged irregularities and internal differences within the Election Commission concerning the SIR exercise.
Demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and consideration of a fresh notice/motion in Parliament seeking his removal.
Strategy for joint agitation and nationwide protests over the electoral roll revision process.
Broader concerns related to EVMs and VVPAT.
Expected attendees include Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and other Congress leaders such as Jairam Ramesh and K.C. Venugopal.
Trinamool Congress leaders Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee are also expected. Representatives from parties including the Samajwadi Party, CPI, CPI(M), NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD, National Conference, PDP and other Left and regional parties are participating.
Some leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, are not attending in person (citing other commitments) and are being represented by party colleagues. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is expected to join virtually. Certain parties such as the DMK and AAP have stayed away from the meeting.
The meeting follows recent media reports of recorded objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to certain SIR-related decisions. The opposition has been raising questions about the electoral roll revision process, while the Election Commission has maintained that its procedures are lawful.
Sources indicate that a draft notice for a fresh parliamentary motion regarding the CEC is under deliberation. The parties are also expected to finalise plans for coordinated protests, particularly in states heading towards elections.
The discussions reflect ongoing political differences over electoral processes and the independence and functioning of the Election Commission.