A consultative meeting of INDIA bloc will be held in Chennai on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as opposition parties continue to seek the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The meeting is held under the leadership of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B Manickam Tagore. The demand for the Chief Election Commissioner is among the main issues being raised by opposition parties in their campaign against the Election Commission.
According to ANI on October 3, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) representatives Aadhav Arjuna and Maria Wilson were scheduled to attend the consultative meeting.
Opposition Campaign Over Election Commission
The meeting comes days after senior INDIA bloc leaders met in New Delhi to discuss concerns related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, electronic voting machines and the demand for Gyanesh Kumar's removal.
Opposition parties have alleged electoral roll revision is not going well and have wished that the procedure is reformed.
These are political allegations and demands made by opposition parties; the Election Commission's position and official responses should be considered separately when assessing the claims.
An INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi on September 30 also focused on these issues, India Today reported.
Congress Calls for Coordinated Protests
Chennai meeting comes as Congress and its allies prepare for a wider programme of protests.
The Times of India reported that Congress instructed its state and district units on October 1 to coordinate with INDIA bloc allies for a joint agitation between October 2 and October 8. The aim is to press for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The opposition's campaign is therefore taking place in several states, not just in Tamil Nadu.
Manickam Tagore Leads Tamil Nadu Coordination
Manickam Tagore became President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee in June 2026. The Indian Express reported that he was appointed to replace K Selvaperunthagai on June 27.
Tagore has since been involved in coordinating Congress's political activity in Tamil Nadu and its relations with other parties.
Tamil Nadu's political landscape has also changed significantly since the formation of the TVK-led government and its post-poll arrangement with Congress and other parties.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | An INDIA bloc meeting under the leadership of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President Manickam Tagore is underway at the TNCC office, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The parties that are taking part in… https://t.co/bzF1VjI8Ll pic.twitter.com/mPUf6seghe
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2026
TVK's Participation in the Meeting
TVK's participation is also significant because the party has developed a separate alliance structure in Tamil Nadu with Congress, VCK, MDMK and IUML.
The alliance was formally renamed the Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance in September. CPI and CPM were not present at this meeting, with both Left parties saying that they were providing outside support to the TVK government.
In ANI’s October 3 report it also confirmed TVK representatives Aadhav Arjuna and Maria Wilson at the most recent consultative meeting.
Demand for CEC's Resignation
The push for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation is part of the opposition argument for the Election Commission's conduct in electoral matters.
The INDIA bloc also has plans for more protests and programmes as part of the campaign. ANI reported that the opposition movement was to continue with other programmes, including a rally planned for October 6 and Delhi on November 1.
The Chennai meeting is therefore part of a larger political mobilisation by opposition parties. The immediate focus is on their demand for the Chief Election Commissioner and their opposition to aspects of the electoral roll revision process.
As the meeting continues, details of the parties represented, resolutions made as well as the next phase of the protest programme are expected to give further insight into the opposition's strategy.
