Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc of undermining constitutional institutions by questioning electoral outcomes and attempting to exert political pressure on the judiciary. His remarks came amid the opposition bloc’s planned protest march to the Supreme Court against the functioning of the Election Commission of India.
Sarma, in a post on X, alleged that the Congress was selectively questioning electoral outcomes, accepting results when the party won while challenging them when it faced defeat.
He pointed to the Congress’s electoral performance in Assam and Kerala, accusing the party of applying different standards to democratic outcomes depending on the political situation.
Referring to the INDIA bloc’s march to the Supreme Court after Chief Justice of India (CJI) declined its request for a meeting, Sarma alleged that Rahul Gandhi was attempting to exert political pressure on the country’s highest judicial institution.
“Constitutional institutions cannot be made answerable to a party’s electoral frustrations,” Sarma wrote.
The Assam Chief Minister also announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam would organise peaceful mass rallies at every district headquarters from October 13 until October 31.
According to Sarma, the rallies would highlight what he described as the Congress’s attempts to undermine constitutional institutions, oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and shield illegal infiltrators. He said the programme would also reaffirm the party’s support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
“The people’s mandate deserves respect. Our institutions deserve independence. Neither can be held hostage to political convenience,” Sarma added.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also criticised the INDIA bloc’s planned protest march, accusing the opposition of attempting to undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
Speaking to ANI, Fadnavis questioned the opposition’s demand for a meeting with the CJI, arguing that grievances should be addressed through established legal procedures.
He alleged that the opposition had demonstrated a lack of faith in constitutional principles and accused it of attempting to damage the credibility of India’s judicial institutions.
“This is a conspiracy to demonise India’s judicial institutions and erode public trust,” Fadnavis said.
The remarks came as the INDIA bloc prepared to proceed with its protest march from Connaught Place to the Supreme Court in New Delhi on Monday, despite the CJI declining to meet opposition MPs over their concerns regarding the Election Commission.
Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had called for the march under the slogan “Chalo Dilli”, describing it as a demonstration for democracy and justice.
In a post on X, Gandhi wrote, “March for Democracy. March for Justice. Chalo Dilli.”
Gandhi also alleged that Delhi Police and BJP workers had used violence against students and women during a protest led by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), which demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The INDIA bloc’s protest is centred on allegations concerning the functioning of the Election Commission, while the BJP leaders have accused the opposition of undermining constitutional institutions and failing to respect democratic mandates.