Rahul Gandhi, Seven INDIA Bloc Leaders Sue Election Commission
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in the Indian Parliament, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. Seven other leaders of the INDIA opposition alliance are also named as petitioners. The case against the Election Commission was filed on Monday.
On the same day, a march led by Rahul Gandhi began near Connaught Place in Delhi. Delhi Police stopped the march near Bhagwan Das Road. Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer submitted the petition within the stipulated time. Separate cases concerning alleged irregularities in the SIR process and the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner are already pending before the Supreme Court. The latest petition directly challenges the Election Commission and names eight opposition leaders as petitioners.
Besides Rahul Gandhi, the petition names Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader M.A. Baby and Communist Party of India leader D. Raja.
Last week, INDIA bloc leaders met President Droupadi Murmu over the same issue. They had planned to meet Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday, but he did not grant them an appointment. Earlier that morning, the Chief Justice said the opposition should seek legal remedies, adding that the Supreme Court’s doors were open to all citizens.
Political observers believe the opposition leaders filed the petition in response to the Chief Justice’s remarks.
However, BJP leaders have criticised the Congress’s move. BJP MP Anurag Thakur accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of attempting to intimidate the judiciary and create instability over election-related matters.
