New Delhi, October 2026 : Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday said Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant had advised leaders of the Congress-led INDIA bloc to approach the Supreme Court through a formal petition over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Gandhi said the CJI had responded to a request by Opposition leaders seeking a meeting to discuss their concerns about the electoral roll revision and directed them to initiate legal proceedings in accordance with established procedures. He announced that INDIA bloc leaders would jointly approach the Supreme Court to raise the issue and urged citizens to participate in the Opposition’s campaign, which he described as a movement to defend the Constitution and democracy.
The announcement came as Opposition parties planned a march towards the Supreme Court to protest against the ECI’s SIR exercise and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The Opposition has alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision and raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the election process.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, Gandhi said he and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had written to the CJI expressing what they described as grave concerns over democratic institutions and electoral fairness.
“The Congress president and I wrote to the CJI expressing our grave concern about the murder of Indian democracy and electoral fairness. The Honourable CJI has responded and instructed us to file a petition,” Gandhi said.
He sought to clarify that the CJI’s decision not to meet the Opposition delegation did not mean that the concerns raised by the parties had been disregarded. According to Gandhi, the Chief Justice had provided a clear course of action by asking the leaders to bring their grievances before the court through a formal petition.
“There seems to be some confusion that perhaps the government does not understand. It has been said that the CJI would not meet Opposition leaders. That is not relevant. The Honourable CJI has responded and instructed us to file a petition, asking us to bring our concerns before the Supreme Court and begin the legal process,” he said.
Gandhi said INDIA bloc leaders would jointly pursue the matter before the court, adding that the Opposition intended to continue its campaign until its concerns about the electoral process were addressed.
Gandhi appeals to citizens to join protest
The Congress leader appealed to citizens across political affiliations to participate in the planned demonstration, arguing that the issue went beyond the interests of any single political party.
He said young people across the country wanted to protect the Constitution and democratic institutions, and asserted that the Opposition’s campaign represented a broader public concern about the future of Indian democracy.
“Today, INDIA bloc leaders and I will go to the Supreme Court and file this petition together. Look, whatever the government stands for, I want to tell you that crores of young people want to save democracy and the Constitution, and consider the Constitution their religion. This is the voice of Hindustan, and we consider the voice of all the people our religion. This voice is under attack,” Gandhi said.
He maintained that the Opposition’s resistance would not be limited to a single march or demonstration. Describing the campaign as a sustained effort, Gandhi said the parties would continue to raise the issue regardless of how long it took to secure what they considered appropriate action.
“This resistance is not a one-day thing; it will continue,” he said, adding that even sections of the police had questions about the situation. Gandhi also launched a sharp attack on CEC Gyanesh Kumar, questioning why the authorities were allegedly protecting him.
“No matter how many days, months or years it takes, we will continue this resistance,” the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition said.
The Opposition’s demand for the CEC’s resignation is linked to its allegations concerning the SIR exercise. The ECI’s revision process has become a major political flashpoint, with Opposition parties questioning its implications for electoral fairness. The allegations and demands remain matters of political dispute, with the legal process expected to provide a formal avenue for the concerns to be examined.
Rahul Gandhi alleges officials sharing information
During the press conference, Gandhi also made an allegation concerning officials serving in the Central government. He claimed that around 200 government officials were in contact with the Opposition and sharing information with its leaders.
“Modi ji, let me tell you that 200 officials in your government are in touch with us and providing us with information. Officials within the ED, CBI and Foreign Ministry are all sharing information with us. Do whatever you want; the truth is on our side,” Gandhi said.
He did not provide further details during the remarks cited about the officials or the nature of the information allegedly being shared. The claim could not be independently established from the statements provided.
Gandhi said the Opposition would continue its campaign until the Constitution was upheld, the Election Commissioner was removed, the electoral system was reformed and justice was delivered. He also referred to five individuals whom he accused of attacking the idea and spirit of India, though he did not identify them in the quoted remarks.
“Until the Constitution is upheld, the Election Commissioner is removed, the election system is revamped, and justice is delivered to India, the youth of this country will not stop,” he said.
He added that the Opposition would not withdraw its campaign despite possible delays or political pressure, asserting that the objective was to defend the country’s constitutional framework and democratic rights.
March planned from Connaught Place
Gandhi called on citizens to join the demonstration at 1.30 p.m. at Barakhamba Junction in the Connaught Place area of New Delhi. He said participation should not depend on political affiliation, caste, gender or economic background.
“India is marching. Join us today at 1:30 p.m. at CP, Barakhamba Junction. Anyone who wants to protect the Constitution is welcome,” he said.
The Congress leader specifically urged even supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to participate if they believed that the Constitution was under threat.
“Whether you are a woman or a man, rich or poor, from any caste, or a journalist, please come and protect the Constitution, because deep down, you all know what is happening. The truth will gradually come out,” Gandhi said.
He emphasised that the proposed demonstration was not intended to centre on individual political figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi or himself. Instead, he described the campaign as an effort to defend citizens’ rights, freedom of expression and the country’s democratic future.
“This is not about Rahul Gandhi or Narendra Modi. We are not important here. What matters is India, the Constitution, the people of India, their right to expression and the future of the country,” he said, urging people to join the campaign.
Gandhi also appealed to those unable to attend the march in person to express their solidarity when INDIA bloc leaders approached the Supreme Court at 3 p.m. He suggested that citizens could communicate their support through videos, public messages or other peaceful forms of expression.
“Show that you stand with the Constitution of India and the Indian flag. Do it in whatever way you choose — by standing, sitting, making a video or any other means. Express yourself and tell the country that you oppose what is happening. The Constitution is our religion, and we will not allow this to happen,” he said.
The INDIA bloc’s next steps will depend on the formal legal proceedings and the response to the issues it intends to raise. Gandhi’s remarks underscored the Opposition’s decision to pursue the SIR controversy both through the courts and through a public campaign, with the electoral process and the role of constitutional institutions at the centre of the dispute.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
