Because of festivals, the Congress is preparing for a show of strength at the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1, amid a pause in the agitation seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and opposing the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Opposition also needs to raise issues that are closer to people’s everyday realities or have the potential to put the government on the defensive in the immediate term. Recent social media posts by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, however, reflect a subtle shift, with inflation during the festive season being linked to vote chori. “The Modi government, desperate to strip away voting rights, now wants to eliminate the right to live as well. Amidst festivals, back-breaking inflation is gobbling up every single penny of earnings,” Mr.
Kharge said in a post on X on Wednesday (October 28, 2026).
Beyond the rally, however, the Congress and the wider Opposition bloc may need to recalibrate their strategy on the alleged ‘vote chori’ (theft) campaign , which has overshadowed issues that affect voters’ everyday lives — inflation, unemployment, youth distress and alleged corruption. “There is no need for a plan. A dance is going on, Lord Shiva’s dance. He urged Mr. Modi to address inflation, unemployment and stalled private investment. “Drop the arrogance and reflect on these issues! Mr.
The Congress Working Committee (CWC), which met on August 19 in the aftermath of students’ protests against paper leaks and demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, had identified several core issues. On October 12, Rahul Gandhi , the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, likened the Opposition’s protests against vote chori to Lord Shiva’s tandav (cosmic dance). On Thursday (October 29, 2026), responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s jibe over the Congress’s performance in ballot-based MLC elections across 28 seats in four States, Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh asked him to reflect on the BJP’s losses in Varanasi , his parliamentary constituency, and Nagpur, an RSS stronghold.
These included the “plight” of the youth, alleged chanda (donation) chori at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, reports of Chinese incursions into Arunachal Pradesh, and concerns over E20 petrol’s lower mileage, compatibility risks and the loss of consumer choice. And anyone can join Shivji ki baraat [the wedding procession of Lord Shiva],” he said. Ramesh said on X.
