INDIA Bloc Meeting: Kharge flags SIR, foreign policy; hails “unity” in defeating delimitation bill

At the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi, Mallikarjun Kharge praised opposition unity but also warned about SIR, economic distress and “compromised” foreign policy. His remarks sparked sharp political reactions.

New Delhi: Congress president and INDIA bloc chairperson Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday targeted the BJP-led Centre over a range of political, economic and foreign policy issues while addressing the opposition alliance meeting at Delhi’s Constitution Club.

In his opening remarks at the INDIA bloc meeting, Kharge praised the unity shown by opposition parties in defeating the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.

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Calling for stronger opposition coordination, Kharge said the same spirit of unity must continue to counter what he described as the Modi government’s “misgovernance”.

"The INDIA Bloc will write to the Chief Justice of India regarding the SIR exercise and alleged manipulation of voter lists", Mallikarjun Kharge at the INDIA Bloc meet.@INCIndia @kharge #indiablocmeeting #RahulGandhi #SoniaGandhi #AkhileshYadav #INDIAbloc @yadavakhilesh pic.twitter.com/QSbsuiX8rK

— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) June 8, 2026

Kharge Raises SIR, Inflation And Exam Issues

The Congress chief strongly criticised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that it was stripping millions of people of their voting rights.

“Due to SIR, the voting rights of millions of our people are being stripped away. The assault on the Constitution continues unabated,” Kharge said. He also accused the Centre of using investigative agencies to intimidate opposition leaders and claimed that non-BJP ruled states were facing discrimination.

Kharge further flagged rising inflation, unemployment and alleged irregularities in examinations, saying the aspirations of lakhs of youths were being betrayed due to the “complete mismanagement” of the examination system.

At the INDIA Bloc press conference in Delhi, Mallikarjun Kharge said that the alliance will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the CBSE, NTA, and NEET paper leak issues. @INCIndia @kharge… pic.twitter.com/5vozffkBMl

— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) June 8, 2026

Opposition Leaders Attend Key Meeting

Several senior opposition leaders attended the meeting, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Bihar LoP Tejashwi Yadav and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was also present alongside Mamata Banerjee, while Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray joined virtually.

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DMK skipped the meeting after Congress aligned with Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu, ending its long-standing partnership with the regional party.

BJP Hits Back

Reacting to the INDIA bloc meeting, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak dismissed the opposition alliance and claimed it no longer enjoys public support. “They have lost all public support. It is merely a gathering of power-hungry individuals vying for office,” Pathak said.