Biju Janata Dal leaders joined an INDIA bloc march in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, creating a notable moment of opposition coordination. The party, led by former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, had so far remained outside the INDIA bloc's activities.
The march was taken towards the Election Commission. It was stopped near Akashvani Bhavan, close to Nirvachan Sadan, according to Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh. INDIA bloc MPs took part in the protest.
BJD joins while two parties stay away
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Aam Aadmi Party did not participate in the march. The DMK is led by MK Stalin, while the AAP is associated with Arvind Kejriwal.
Both parties said they opposed Gyanesh Kumar and were conducting protests in their own ways. Their absence nevertheless highlighted the differences among parties that have been associated with the wider opposition grouping.
The AAP and Congress had grown more hostile during the Delhi Assembly election. The Congress and DMK had contested the Tamil Nadu Assembly election together, but their relationship became strained after the election when Congress moved away from the DMK and announced support for Chief Minister Vijay.
The two parties had also stayed away from an INDIA bloc meeting held on 30 August to discuss a strategy against the Chief Election Commissioner. The BJD did not attend that meeting either, making its participation in the later march more significant within the sequence of events described in the report.
Congress response
Ramesh said on X that INDIA bloc MPs had taken part in the march and that BJD MPs had also joined. He added that other opposition parties were morally supporting the protest, including parties that were temporarily part of the National Democratic Alliance.
Ramesh linked the opposition's unity to issues including alleged vote theft and delimitation. He said the opposition would remain united against what he described as the plans of the Prime Minister and Home Minister. He also claimed that the countdown to the Bharatiya Janata Party's departure had begun.
Those statements represent the Congress position on the protest and on the political significance of the march. The available report does not provide a response from the Election Commission, the Chief Election Commissioner, the AAP or the DMK beyond their stated opposition and separate protests.
Conclusion
The march brought BJD leaders alongside INDIA bloc MPs in Delhi, while the AAP and DMK remained absent and said they were pursuing separate protests against Gyanesh Kumar. The episode shows coordination on the protest alongside continuing differences among opposition parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why was the march held?
The march was held against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Q. Which party made a surprise appearance?
The Biju Janata Dal joined the march through its leaders and MPs.
Q. Which parties did not join the march?
The DMK and the Aam Aadmi Party did not participate.
Q. What did the absent parties say?
Both said they opposed Gyanesh Kumar and were protesting in their own ways.
Q. Where was the march stopped?
It was stopped near Akashvani Bhavan, close to Nirvachan Sadan.
Q. What meeting had the AAP and DMK also skipped?
They stayed away from an INDIA bloc meeting held on 30 August to discuss strategy against the Chief Election Commissioner.
Q. What did Jairam Ramesh say about opposition unity?
He said opposition unity would remain in place over issues including alleged vote theft and delimitation.
