Devendra Fadnavis accused the Opposition of undermining judicial institutions after the Chief Justice declined to meet protesting leaders. He said grievances must be pursued in court, as the row over the vote chori protest intensified.
Mumbai,Oct 12, 2026 12:28 IST
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday accused the Opposition of trying to “demonise” judicial institutions and weaken public trust in them after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined to meet leaders protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi.
The Opposition has announced a march to the Supreme Court to demand an end to “vote chori” and the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had sought a meeting with the Chief Justice, but sources said the request was declined as similar matters are sub judice in the Supreme Court.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis criticised the march to the apex court and called it “anti-constitutional”. He also alleged that Opposition leaders used abusive language after the Chief Justice refused to meet them. “They want to demonise India’s institutions, particularly judicial institutions, and are conspiring to erode people’s faith in them,” he said.
Fadnavis said those with grievances should take the legal route. “If you have a grievance, approach the court and fight it there. What I have been saying repeatedly is that they have no faith in the Constitution. They are anti-constitutional, and they have proved this by taking out a march,” the chief minister said.
He said the Chief Justice had acted lawfully while discharging his constitutional duties by making it clear that he could not meet a march. Backing the Supreme Court’s position, Fadnavis said, “How can the Opposition expect the CJI to meet a protesting (political) delegation?” He also repeated his allegation that Opposition leaders used abusive language against the Chief Justice after he declined to meet them, as the row over the “vote chori” protest continued.
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