BJP attacks Rahul Gandhi after CJI declines meeting on vote chori plea

The BJP on Monday attacked the Congress after Rahul Gandhi sought a meeting with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, saying the judiciary must remain above day-to-day political battles. The party's response came as the opposition stepped up its agitation over alleged "vote chori".

According to sources, the CJI declined to meet Gandhi over the allegations as similar matters are sub judice in the Supreme Court. Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge were part of the opposition's planned march to the Supreme Court on Monday amid their campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

In a post on X, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, "From separation of powers to desperation for power, Rahul Gandhi has confused constitutional law with political theatre!" He said the CJI declining to meet Gandhi and other opposition leaders sends an important message that the judiciary must remain above day-to-day political battles. "Constitutional institutions cannot be dragged into political theatrics," he said.

Stepping up his attack on the Congress leader, Bhatia said merely carrying a copy of the Constitution does not mean one understands it. "Read it. Respect it. And learn the doctrine of separation of powers. The Constitution is a guide to governance, not a prop for political performance!" he added.

Both Gandhi and Kharge had written to the CJI seeking a meeting between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday to hand over a memorandum. In it, they sought an end to "vote chori", the resignation of the CEC, a halt to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, and a return to the paper ballot format. The row, therefore, centred on the opposition's push on these demands and the BJP's charge that the judiciary should not be drawn into a political confrontation.