CJI Surya Kant declines Rahul, Kharge meeting on vote chori plea

Chief Justice Surya Kant has declined to meet Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge over the vote chori issue. The refusal comes just before the opposition's planned march to the Supreme Court, intensifying the political row over electoral demands.

In Short

• Rahul Gandhi and Kharge sought time to submit a memorandum
• Sources said CJI Surya Kant did not agree to meet them
• Opposition parties will march to the Supreme Court on Monday

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has not agreed to meet Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, who had sought time on Monday to raise the 'vote chori' issue, sources said on Sunday night. The two leaders had written to the CJI seeking a meeting between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday to hand over a memorandum.

The development comes ahead of an opposition march to the Supreme Court on Monday over a set of demands that includes an end to 'vote chori', the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, halting of SIR, and a return to paper ballots. The Congress has called the march "Chalo Delhi - March for Democracy" and said protesters would gather at 1.30 pm at the Connaught Place-Barakhamba Road junction.

"Response of Hon'ble CJI to the letter received from Leaders of Opposition has been sent in their official mail," a source said. Sources said the CJI had not agreed to meet the two LoPs, but did not elaborate further. In a post on X, Gandhi said the march would be joined by Indians "united beyond parties, gender, caste, community and state". He wrote, "Yesterday, the nation's young came out in Delhi to peacefully protest. They came with love in their hearts, not hatred or anger. They were beaten, both by cops and BJP goons. This is not the India we want. Tomorrow, we will march to the Supreme Court as Indians, united beyond party, gender, caste, community and state. Youth, all opposition parties, civil society groups, all those who believe in democracy and stand by the Constitution of India, will walk with us."

Speaking earlier in Bengaluru, Kharge said he and Gandhi had sought the CJI's intervention on the issue of 'vote chori'. "We have sought a time between 4 and 5 pm. We will also apprise him, as we cannot demand. Only with folded hands, we can request him," he said. He added, "With folded hands we will apprise him of the situation. Chaos is being created in the country by the home minister and the prime minister, and everywhere an undeclared emergency is imposed," and said both of them had written letters to the CJI.

On Friday, leaders of various opposition parties in the INDIA bloc marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk and later submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu. Kharge also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had "created chaos" across the country, and that heavy police deployment and detentions during protests on Saturday showed the government's "fear" of the youth agitation.

In sum, the CJI has declined to meet Gandhi and Kharge over the 'vote chori' issue, even as opposition parties press ahead with their march to the Supreme Court and continue to seek action on their demands.

- Ends