Rahul Gandhi to Host Dinner Meet for INDIA Bloc Leaders on Aug 7 Over SIR, Future Strategy

In a bid to strengthen opposition unity, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will host a dinner meeting with the INDIA bloc leaders at his residence on August 7, party sources said Monday.

The gathering comes amid opposition’s consistent demand for debates in Parliament over key issues, particularly the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

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Opposition parties have been protesting alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise, demanding discussions in both Houses of Parliament. They claim the process could lead to the deletion of a large number of voters, particularly affecting the poor and disadvantaged.

Following the dinner meeting, the INDIA bloc plans to hold a protest march to the Election Commission’s office in New Delhi on August 8 to demonstrate its protest against the SIR drive.

The bloc is also likely to discuss fielding a joint candidate for the Vice-Presidential elections scheduled for September 9.

The meeting may also touch upon the new tariffs imposed by the United States on India’s exports.

Parties likely to be represented during the meeting may, among others, include, Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Trinamool Congress, National Conference, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Communist Party of India.

The meeting would be a crucial moment for the INDIA bloc to regroup and project renewed unity, particularly after facing challenges in presenting a cohesive front since the previous Lok Sabha elections.