Kharge says Congress to meet CJI over ‘vote chori’ allegations

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said party leaders would meet the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to raise concerns over the functioning of constitutional institutions, while accusing the BJP of coming to power through “vote chori” and alleging that the country was witnessing an “undeclared Emergency”. According to ANI, Kharge said he and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had written letters to the CJI and that a meeting had been scheduled between 4 pm and 5 pm. He clarified that the delegation would present its concerns rather than demand any specific action.

“We can't demand anything from him. Only with folded hand we'll request them,” Kharge said in Bengaluru. Kharge also alleged that the Election Commission was not being allowed to function independently and claimed that concerns over irregularities within the poll body had gone unaddressed.

“The CEC is a constitutional body. They are independent. They can take independent decisions. But he is not allowing them to take independent decisions,” he said. Referring to concerns raised by two Election Commission members, Kharge alleged that irregularities in the commission's functioning had been exposed but no action had followed. He claimed that the government wanted “vote chori” to continue and alleged that electoral malpractice had helped the BJP form governments at the Centre and in states.

“Whatever 'vote chori' he has done, with that only, he has formed the government in the Centre and the states,” Kharge said. Kharge also criticised the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, questioning the legal protection it provides to election commissioners for acts performed in the discharge of their official duties.

“That immunity he gave. That immunity is not even for the President of India, not the Chief Justice, but that is given to one Election Commissioner. Why?” he said. Kharge alleged that the provision weakened accountability and linked it to electoral irregularities involving electronic voting machines (EVMs). Calling it a conspiracy against democracy, he said, “It means that it is a conspiracy to snatch votes and commit fraud on democracy, and he is doing all that, and we'll fight it.”

Kharge further accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of creating an atmosphere of fear and political instability, describing the situation as an “undeclared Emergency”. Referring to the deployment of nearly 32,000 police personnel during protests, he questioned the scale of the security arrangements and said they reflected the government's apprehension.

“Yesterday, nearly 32,000 policemen were deployed. That itself shows how much fear he has,” Kharge said.