CEC row: CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby pushes for broader Opposition unity, calls for INDIA Bloc-Plus

Communist Part of India (Marxist) general secretary M.A. Baby on Saturday called for an ‘INDIA Bloc-Plus’ — a broader coalition of Opposition parties and civil society organisations — in resisting what he described as the “misuse” of power by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar with the alleged backing of the BJP leadership.

Mr. Baby’s remarks in Thiruvananthapuram came on the heels of reports that he had spoken to Mamata All-India Trinamool Congress leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as part of building a broader framework of opposition at the national level. The INDIA Bloc was expected to meet in New Delhi on September 30 to hold discussions, he said.