CPI(M) leader calls for wider opposition alliance over election commission dispute

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary M.A. Baby has called for a broader opposition alliance to challenge what he described as the misuse of power by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, Baby proposed an “INDIA Bloc-Plus” bringing together opposition parties, civil society organisations and new political forces.

He said the existing INDIA Bloc had a role in resisting the alleged actions of the Election Commission, but argued that the coalition should be expanded. Baby’s comments followed reports that he had spoken with All-India Trinamool Congress leader and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee while seeking to build a wider national opposition framework. He said the INDIA Bloc was expected to meet in New Delhi on September 30.

The CPI(M) leader said Indian politics was passing through “critical moments”. He alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner had misused his authority with the backing of the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership. Baby referred to the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll, describing it as a basic and transparent democratic task that, in his view, had been subverted despite reservations and objections from other members of the commission.

These allegations were presented by Baby and were not independently established in the supplied report. He said the issue went beyond whether the CEC should resign. According to Baby, those who supported the alleged actions should also be held accountable.

Baby said he had written to Banerjee as part of outreach to opposition parties across India. He attributed to her claims that she was unable to travel freely or organise protest programmes in West Bengal, which she said made it difficult to engage with people and exercise democratic rights.