Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced on Sunday that he and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will meet Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday, October 12, to raise concerns over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission and the crackdown on protesters in Delhi.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge said both leaders had formally written to the Chief Justice and been given an appointment between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday. He stressed that they would present their concerns as a request, not a demand. "We cannot demand anything before him. We will request him with folded hands to keep these issues in mind," he said.
Allegations of "undeclared Emergency"
Kharge launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing the central government of creating what he called an "undeclared Emergency" in the country. He pointed to the heavy security deployment in central Delhi on Saturday to prevent a planned mass mobilisation by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Claiming that around 32,000 police personnel and 7,500 CRPF personnel were deployed, Kharge alleged that transit routes, access to the airport and mobile internet services were cut off to stifle peaceful assembly, causing hardship to youths travelling for jobs, appointments, schools and colleges.
EC autonomy in question
Turning to the Election Commission, Kharge alleged that the poll body was being prevented from functioning independently, and claimed that internal friction within the commission had surfaced in public statements by its members. He also criticised the 2023 legislation on the appointment and service conditions of election commissioners, arguing that it shields them from accountability.
He further alleged that irregularities in the electoral process were being carried out to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party — claims the government and the Election Commission have previously rejected. Kharge said the Congress would continue to fight to protect the Constitution, democracy and people's right to vote.
The meeting comes a day after the Supreme Court held a special Sunday hearing on the Delhi crackdown and directed that barricades be removed and internet services restored.
Sources: The Economic Times: Kharge, Rahul Gandhi to meet CJI on Monday, allege EC autonomy under threat; Mathrubhumi English: 'Undeclared Emergency' — Rahul, Kharge to meet CJI tomorrow; Amar Ujala (PTI): Kharge, Rahul Gandhi to meet CJI over alleged irregularities in EC, curbs on protests
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge said both leaders had formally written to the Chief Justice and been given an appointment between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday. He stressed that they would present their concerns as a request, not a demand. "We cannot demand anything before him. We will request him with folded hands to keep these issues in mind," he said.
Allegations of "undeclared Emergency"
Kharge launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing the central government of creating what he called an "undeclared Emergency" in the country. He pointed to the heavy security deployment in central Delhi on Saturday to prevent a planned mass mobilisation by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Claiming that around 32,000 police personnel and 7,500 CRPF personnel were deployed, Kharge alleged that transit routes, access to the airport and mobile internet services were cut off to stifle peaceful assembly, causing hardship to youths travelling for jobs, appointments, schools and colleges.
EC autonomy in question
Turning to the Election Commission, Kharge alleged that the poll body was being prevented from functioning independently, and claimed that internal friction within the commission had surfaced in public statements by its members. He also criticised the 2023 legislation on the appointment and service conditions of election commissioners, arguing that it shields them from accountability.
He further alleged that irregularities in the electoral process were being carried out to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party — claims the government and the Election Commission have previously rejected. Kharge said the Congress would continue to fight to protect the Constitution, democracy and people's right to vote.
The meeting comes a day after the Supreme Court held a special Sunday hearing on the Delhi crackdown and directed that barricades be removed and internet services restored.
Sources: The Economic Times: Kharge, Rahul Gandhi to meet CJI on Monday, allege EC autonomy under threat; Mathrubhumi English: 'Undeclared Emergency' — Rahul, Kharge to meet CJI tomorrow; Amar Ujala (PTI): Kharge, Rahul Gandhi to meet CJI over alleged irregularities in EC, curbs on protests
