How Can the Opposition Politically Capitalise on the Current Protests?
There are massive protests happening in Delhi-NCR over the demand for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar due to the discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Amid all this, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated venue for protests and demonstrations, following recommendations from a committee set up to examine alternative locations. According to the decision, three new venues have been designated for holding protests and demonstrations: Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi.
These protests are happening on an issue which was seldom in the public domain just three months back. Today, we are witnessing a strong gathering of opposition amidst the ongoing political climate for 12 years that was dominated by the BJP. Today, the opposition is setting the agenda, and the BJP is just reacting to it. The Protests against the CEC and ECI have put a big chance in favour of opposition parties to set the agenda and take the centre stage in politics if it wishes to come ahead at the national level and seek power in 2029. Here are a few points on how they can do so.
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Unlike the other issues discussed in our earlier article series, this issue has a lesser ability to gain maximum momentum because it is a highly technical issue and not a simple one for the common public to understand, unlike education, jobs and welfare.
Formation of a United Front
The political friction between the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the Congress party is happening on the issue of credit and a leadership battle over protests targeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The tussle, which had been brewing since the CJP's Assam school inspections and before on the resignation of Pradhan. Congress has accused the CJP of operating under the influence of AAP or acting as a political proxy of the RSS, just like the Anna Andolan in 2011. In response, Abhijeet Dipke and other CJP figures have strongly rejected alignment with any single political party.
INDIA alliance parties have strong political roots, have party command, structure and supporters. When it was formed, the CJP was an anti-government reaction movement comprising both disappointed BJP supporters and opposition supporters. But with the recent protests, it is clear that the line the CJP will take is more anti-government. The turnout of the protests this time was very low, because the supporters didn't turn up. This issue has finally strengthened and revived the INDIA alliance and shown a strong sense of opposition unity. Hence, this opens up an opportunity to work together with other opposition parties and the INDIA alliance, which makes up a big chunk of political parties on the issue.
Also, there are differences too. Congress feels they are the No. 2 party of India and the largest opposition party, and they need the bigger piece of the pie. The matter is simple: Congress is more concerned with the spotlight (& recognition) & CJP with the cause and less about the credits. The opposition has a legal team support system, which CJP may not have in the case of any arrests and legal issues. So, whether the lawyers are part of Congress, or whether any parties will come forward to help the CJP or not, is a question to be asked.
What is also stopping the INDIA alliance from expanding to include BJD, and taking back DMK and AAP who left over internal rifts? If the rift between CJP and Congress/INDIA alliance grows, the more the benefit skews towards BJP.
Decide on the situation of protests within Opposition-ruled states
The CJP has joined hands with student organisations, including AISA, AISF, SFI and AAP's student wing, ASAP, for the protests around the country and even in states ruled by the INDIA alliance. But the story shows that Bengaluru and Chennai protests have had protesters face massive police brutality very similar to what happened in Delhi. They are not BJP supporters and were opposing SIR. This has exposed the cracks within the INDIA alliance members. They have to sit together and decide whether all the parties support freedom of protest in each other's states and what is the stance of the INDIA alliance on SIR. On the contrary, protests in Mumbai, a BJP-ruled state, were handled in a much better manner.
Confirm your stance on SIR and other issues
What is the official stance of the INDIA alliance on SIR? The answer is none. Different parties within the INDIA alliance disagree on this. Congress doesn't oppose SIR as a whole but has raised the issue of how it has been conducted and the transparency. Congress believes that SIR was fine in Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, and TN but not in BJP-ruled states.
The official position and policy of the CJP is to demand that the SIR of electoral rolls be completely scrapped and rolled back. The CJP categorises the current SIR as an unconstitutional and exclusionary exercise that causes mass citizen disenfranchisement. CPI-M has a similar stance here. So do many regional parties. CJP has openly said that SIR was misused to overthrow and weaken the regional forces in Bihar, Bengal and Tamil Nadu. DMK is unhappy with Congress for supporting SIR in TN that advantages its rival TVK.
It is safe to say that CJP and other INDIA alliance members agree that transparency is needed and want more clarity on how SIR was conducted. Hence, what is stopping them from conveying that to the public and, most importantly, conveying and convincing the public? In a democratic country, it is essential that the opposition informs and makes the public aware of the issue, as they will have to be given confidence for more programmes and protests.
Protest against the Restrictions
Ahead of the key October 10 protests in Jantar Mantar, all the trains heading to New Delhi and H. Nizamuddin stations had been cancelled. 57 metro stations have been closed. Police have denied permission for the protests. Over 23,000 cops have been deployed in Delhi and surrounding areas. Those heading to Delhi by train have been arrested and detained.
Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan tendered an "unconditional and unqualified apology" to the Supreme Court on October 15, 2026, in connection with a contempt case regarding severe restrictions and curbs such as a complete shutdown or unregulated stoppage of Metro, transport, and communication services during the October 10 protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
This means: who imposed the restrictions, and what did it try to achieve? Were the protests only for those who came there on the SIR Issue? What happens to those affected by the protests locally?
Similar protests in other parts of the country have remained far more peaceful, but not that much in Delhi. A section of traders in Delhi openly came out against the protests due to the losses, but everyone was quick to blame the protests; the real reason was the curfew-like situation created by the Delhi Police. The opposition hasn't done anything to show and gain the confidence of the locals.
What Congress can learn from the BJP?
Congress and CJP are yet to openly join hands, but some negotiations are ongoing. But still the dominant perception for the Congress leadership is that it's the RSS' B-Team. During the Anna Andolan in 2011, BJP-RSS openly and secretly engaged with others against the UPA government. No where BJP believe that it was a Congress project or its B-Team. Even if we assume it was a B-Team indeed would that have stopped the BJP from utilising it to bring down the UPA government? Hence, Congress can use this opportunity to capitalise on it and prove that it actually knows what politics is.
Why BJP will not allow protests to succeed?
Firstly, the Modi government views itself as a strong one, unlike the many govts India has had, the UPA government specifically. Taking losses and defeats is impossible for this current government. The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan was a big setback to that image. Secondly, the target is not the CEC/ECI only; it's the Modi govt. itself. Thirdly, domino theory- what if the protests put the next gun on Modi or Shah? The resignation of Educational Minister opened the way for more protests and opened cracks in the govt., not fewer.
This is not to say that BJP wants the CJP to stop it, but that it wants the CJP to continue acting as the safety valve of the Modi govt., as well as delegitimise the ongoing protests done by the INDIA alliance. The more the CJP gets stronger, weaker will be the oppostion and more strong the BJP will become. The more the protests continue, the more there will be a fear factor in the atmosphere that the BJP can sell to people: that their objective is anarchy and regime change. This is where the strong government image of the first point is what BJP supporters expect from Modi. This is a chance to consolidate its traditional core Hindutva voters by framing it as a threat. This is why BJP core voters are very happy with the labelling of the protesters as anti-India and anti-national and the police response.
What is the future of the Protests?
Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken into consideration various demands and even issued a press release, even though there has been a dead silence from the CEC. After allegations of not conducting it, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in 17 states and Union Territories, with January 1, 2027, set as the qualifying date for voter eligibility. The exercise aims to enrol eligible voters, particularly young and first-time voters, and update existing voter records ahead of upcoming state elections. This clearly shows that the ECI is preparing itself and making minor corrections and rectifying its earlier mistakes.
Conclusion and the Way Forward
Summarising, this is a golden chance for the opposition to unify and get united under a single umbrella and rewrite the politics of the country, which has been dominated by the BJP for more than one and a half decades. This is essential for the opposition led by the INDIA alliance and other smaller parties if they wish to win in the several state elections next year and also for the national elections in 2026.
SIR, unlike other issues, has been a talking point for six months, and yes, it is harder to make it a populist issue for the public than welfare, jobs, and much more. This is where the strength and the convincing ability of the opposition can be exhibited, allowing them to take charge of the discourse. The anti-SIR and anti-CEC protests must have a strong, unified strategy and goals which will support the democratic processes and freedom of protest.
Working towards a single stance on SIR, opposing restrictions peacefully and using constitutional methods such as the parliament and judiciary, both the INDIA alliance and CJP, along with small parties, can work together. There are a lot of issues to be sorted out, but the short-term and long-term plans can start rolling.
Disclaimer: The author has no political allegiance and is non-partisan. He is just a well-wisher for the betterment of the country.
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