The BJP on Monday criticised the Congress-led INDIA bloc for protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Constitutional institutions cannot be made answerable to a party’s electoral frustrations.” The party started statewide rallies to counter Rahul Gandhi’s march to the Supreme Court.
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In an interaction with News18, the CJI said he had received a letter from Rahul Gandhi dated October 10 while he was away from Delhi and had responded to it the previous night.
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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday sharply criticised the Congress-led INDIA bloc’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and its planned march to the Supreme Court, accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of holding constitutional institutions hostage to his party’s electoral frustrations.
The attack was led by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who announced statewide rallies by the BJP’s Assam unit to counter the protests led by Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.
Sarma’s remarks came after Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant declined to meet Opposition leaders immediately. The leaders had sought a meeting to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter irregularities and the ongoing revision of electoral rolls in several states.
“By marching to the Supreme Court despite the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India declining a meeting, Rahul Gandhi seeks to turn political pressure on the highest court of our land. Constitutional institutions cannot be made answerable to a party’s electoral frustrations," Sarma said.
He added that the BJP’s Assam unit would hold rallies across the state to counter Rahul Gandhi’s claims.
The Raebareli MP in a mid-day press conference said he along with Opposition MPs would march to the top court and file a petition.
What CJI Surya Kant said
At A Glance
1 .
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the Congress-led INDIA bloc's protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
2 .
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced statewide rallies by the BJP's Assam unit to counter the protests.
3 .
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant declined to meet Opposition leaders immediately.
4 .
CJI Surya Kant received a letter from Rahul Gandhi dated October 10 and responded to it the previous night.
5 .
The CJI stated that the Supreme Court is already hearing petitions and every citizen is entitled to approach the court.
In an interaction with News18’s Ananya Bhatnagar, the CJI said he had received a letter from Rahul Gandhi dated October 10 while he was away from Delhi and had responded to it the previous night.
“I have already responded yesterday night. I have given some reason in that letter, expressing my inability to meet," he said.
Asked whether his response stated that the matter should be dealt with on the judicial side, the CJI declined to disclose the contents of his letter, citing confidentiality.
“I wouldn’t divulge the reason, which I mentioned. I would like to maintain confidentiality," he said, adding that the contents of the letter could be sought to establish what he had said.
The CJI was also asked whether the Supreme Court was prepared to hear petitions concerning alleged curbs on civil liberties in Delhi.
“We are already hearing few petitions," he said, adding that complaints of violations could be brought before the court.
“Every citizen of this country, every person is welcome. He is entitled to approach the court, and we will hear them," the CJI said.
Meanwhile, Sarma announced statewide BJP rallies outside unit headquarters, as fellow party leaders accused Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition of attempting to pressure constitutional institutions.
On Saturday, BJP leaders Sambit Patra and Ravi Shankar Prasad described the CJP-led demonstration at Jantar Mantar as a “flop show", claiming democracy had prevailed over “mob rule". Patra likened Gandhi to Mir Jafar and accused the Opposition of seeking power without winning elections, while Prasad alleged that the Congress, its allies and the Aam Aadmi Party were using street protests to advance their political interests.
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About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a chief sub editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ...Read More
October 12, 2026, 12:58 IST
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