The opposition INDIA bloc will hold a high-level meeting at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss a common strategy on issues involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, electronic voting machines (EVMs), VVPAT and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The meeting is also expected to take up a proposed removal motion against Kumar, including the possibility of mobilising opposition MPs to support and sign the motion.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi are expected to attend the meeting. Several other prominent opposition leaders are also likely to participate. The Samajwadi Party, however, will not be represented by party chief Akhilesh Yadav in person, with senior party leaders expected to attend on his behalf.

Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said Yadav had informed the Congress leadership that he would be unable to attend because of his commitments related to the Rajya Sabha biennial elections in Uttar Pradesh. Venugopal said Yadav has a nomination filing scheduled and was trying to join the meeting, while leaders from the Samajwadi Party would participate. Yadav's absence also comes amid differences between the SP and Congress over seat-sharing for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

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The Trinamool Congress is expected to be represented by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti are also expected to attend. From the Left parties, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha floor leader John Brittas is expected to represent the party, while MA Baby is expected to stay away over remarks made by some Congress leaders. The CPI, CPI(ML), RSP and other Left parties are also expected to participate.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is expected to join the meeting virtually due to prior engagements in Mumbai, including preparations for an upcoming campaign against the Election Commission. Several other constituents are expected to remain absent. The BJD has decided not to attend, while the AAP is also staying away after increasingly distancing itself from the alliance over the past year, particularly ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections where it is pitted against the Congress.

The DMK will also not participate, after announcing that it would no longer remain part of the INDIA bloc following the breakdown of its ties with the Congress. The TVK, which had reportedly emerged as a possible new entrant to the bloc, is also not expected to attend Wednesday's meeting. The participation of the National Conference and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha had earlier been reported as uncertain, adding to the list of INDIA bloc constituents whose presence at the meeting remains unclear.

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