Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi are scheduled to meet Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Monday to raise concerns over alleged “vote chori” and seek his intervention. Kharge said on Sunday that the two Congress leaders had requested an appointment between 4 pm and 5 pm to apprise the Chief Justice of the opposition's concerns regarding electoral processes and recent developments surrounding protests in Delhi. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge said both he and Rahul Gandhi had written to the CJI seeking a meeting. He clarified that the leaders intended to present their concerns and request the judiciary's attention rather than make demands.

The proposed meeting comes amid the Congress's allegations of irregularities in electoral processes and its criticism of the government's handling of demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. “We have sought a time between 4 and 5 pm. We will also apprise him, as we cannot demand. Only with folded hands, we can request him,” Kharge said, describing the approach the opposition leaders planned to take during the proposed interaction. He also reiterated the plan in a post on X, stating that he and Rahul Gandhi would meet Surya Kant on Monday to inform him about the situation. Kharge also launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of creating disorder across the country.

He described the government's actions as an “undeclared Emergency” and alleged that the security arrangements and mass detentions during Saturday's protests in Delhi reflected apprehension over the youth-led agitation. “Chaos is being created in the country by the home minister and the prime minister, and everywhere an undeclared emergency is imposed,” Kharge said. His remarks reflected the Congress's criticism of the authorities' response to the demonstrations, which were organised around demands concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and allegations of electoral irregularities. The protests in Delhi witnessed a significant police presence, with security measures and detentions drawing criticism from opposition leaders.

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The demonstrations were linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the opposition's allegations of “vote chori”. The term has been used by opposition leaders to raise concerns about the integrity of electoral processes, though the specific allegations require assessment based on evidence and the responses of the relevant authorities. The opposition's proposed meeting with the CJI comes as political tensions over electoral issues and protest-related restrictions continue. The Supreme Court has separately addressed restrictions imposed around its premises during the demonstrations, directing authorities to remove barricades unless absolutely necessary and withdraw restrictions that could impede access to courts. The bench emphasised that free movement should be restored while allowing reasonable measures to maintain public order.

Kharge's announcement signals the Congress leadership's intention to bring its concerns before the country's highest judicial authority. However, the CJI's role in any such interaction would depend on the nature of the issues raised and the applicable legal procedures. A meeting request does not itself establish that the allegations of electoral irregularities have been proven or that the court has agreed to intervene. The Congress has continued to question the conduct of electoral processes and the government's response to protests, while the planned meeting with Surya Kant is intended to communicate the opposition's concerns directly. Further details about whether the appointment has been confirmed and what issues will be formally presented were not provided in Kharge's announcement.

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