The INDIA bloc convened a dinner meeting at Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi on August 7, 2025, to strategize and address key political concerns. Approximately 50 leaders from various opposition parties attended the meeting, demonstrating a united front against the ruling BJP.
Several prominent figures were present at the gathering. National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah confirmed his attendance, stating his intention to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar. He alleged that the SIR was being manipulated to favor the ruling BJP-JD(U) alliance in the upcoming state elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray also attended the meeting, having been specifically invited by Rahul Gandhi. Thackeray questioned the integrity of the electoral process, particularly the removal of a significant number of voters from the list and the unavailability of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines.
While specific names of all attendees weren't available in the search results, the presence of key leaders from major opposition parties indicates a broad representation within the INDIA bloc. Parties expected to be represented included the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Communist Party of India.
The meeting agenda covered several critical issues. A primary focus was the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's voter list. The INDIA bloc has expressed concerns about the transparency and timing of the SIR, particularly with state elections approaching. Allegations of electoral fraud and voter roll manipulation in Maharashtra were also discussed. Rahul Gandhi had previously claimed potential rigging in 70-80 Lok Sabha seats during the 2024 general elections, and the bloc aimed to address these concerns.
Other potential discussion points included "Operation Sindoor," the India-US trade deal, and tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump. These issues have been consistently raised by opposition parties during the Parliament monsoon session. The meeting served as a crucial opportunity for the INDIA bloc to strengthen opposition unity and strategize for the upcoming elections. The leaders aimed to build a common narrative, finalize seat-sharing arrangements, and counter the ruling BJP's influence. Following the dinner meeting, the INDIA bloc planned to hold a protest march to the Election Commission's office in New Delhi on August 8, demonstrating their opposition to the SIR drive. Discussions regarding fielding a joint candidate for the Vice-Presidential elections, scheduled for September 9, were also anticipated.
