Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday accused the Opposition of attempting to “demonise” judicial institutions and undermine public trust in them after Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant declined to meet leaders seeking action over allegations of electoral irregularities.
Opposition parties have announced a march to the Supreme Court on Monday, demanding an end to alleged “vote chori” and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Fadnavis criticises Opposition’s planned march
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had sought a meeting with CJI Surya Kant. However, the Chief Justice declined the request, citing the fact that similar matters were sub judice before the Supreme Court, sources told PTI.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis criticised the Opposition’s decision to march to the Supreme Court, describing the move as “anti-constitutional”. He also alleged that opposition leaders had used abusive language after the CJI refused to meet them.
“They want to demonise India’s institutions, particularly judicial institutions, and are conspiring to erode people’s faith in them,” he said.
CM says grievances should be raised through courts
Fadnavis said opposition parties should pursue their grievances through legal proceedings rather than organise a march to the Supreme Court.
“If you have a grievance, approach the court and fight it there. What I have been saying repeatedly is that they have no faith in the Constitution. They are anti-constitutional, and they have proved this by taking out a march,” the chief minister said.
He maintained that the CJI had acted in accordance with the law and his constitutional responsibilities by declining to meet the political delegation.
Fadnavis questions demand for meeting with CJI
Asserting that the Supreme Court’s position was correct, Fadnavis questioned why opposition leaders expected the Chief Justice to meet a delegation associated with a protest.
“How can the Opposition expect the CJI to meet a protesting (political) delegation?” he said.
The chief minister also alleged that opposition leaders had used abusive language against the CJI after their request for a meeting was declined.
The proposed march comes amid a broader campaign by Opposition parties seeking Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
(With inputs from PTI)
