CM Devendra Fadnavis accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of undermining the Constitution over the Opposition's vote chori protest. The row sharpened as the Supreme Court refused a meeting and said protests must not disrupt court work.
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis targets Rahul Gandhi over ‘vote chori’, says Congress undermining Constitution. (File image)
Nagpur,Oct 12, 2026 16:58 IST
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the Opposition’s allegations of “vote chori”, accusing him and his “inexperienced followers” of working to undermine the Constitution. Speaking in Nagpur, Fadnavis alleged that the Congress was attempting to dismantle the Constitution even as its leaders displayed it publicly.
“Congress is working to destroy the Constitution while repeatedly displaying it. Rahul Gandhi and his inexperienced followers are working to break the Constitution,” Fadnavis said.
He also accused the Congress and the INDIA bloc of attacking constitutional institutions and spreading rumours to discredit bodies established under the Constitution.
Fadnavis said the Congress had lost its independent political standing in several states and should introspect to understand the reasons behind its electoral defeats. He further alleged that the party had adopted an anarchic mindset and that Rahul Gandhi was promoting an “ultra-leftist mindset”.
FADNAVIS BACKS SUPREME COURT'S STAND ON PROTESTS
Fadnavis also supported the Supreme Court's position on protests in Delhi, saying its response to the INDIA bloc leaders' request for a meeting with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was appropriate.
The Chief Justice declined to meet Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge ahead of the Opposition's planned march to the Supreme Court on Monday to submit a memorandum over alleged electoral irregularities.
The Supreme Court said democratic activities must not obstruct its functioning or restrict the movement of lawyers, court staff and litigants. The bench agreed to hear pleas, including one filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association, over difficulties faced by lawyers amid the protests.
WHY THE OPPOSITION IS PROTESTING
The Opposition has been protesting against alleged “vote chori” and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Its demands also include stopping the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
On Monday, Rahul Gandhi is leading an INDIA bloc march to the Supreme Court under the call of “Chalo Delhi - March for Democracy”, demanding the resignation of CEC. Ahead of the march, Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi government of protecting Gyanesh Kumar and questioned the heavy security deployment across Delhi, asking why the city had been turned into a “fortress”
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