Political tensions escalated as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a sharp attack on the opposition on October 12, accusing them of systematically damaging the image of judicial institutions and attempting to erode public faith in them. His remarks come in the wake of opposition parties announcing a march to the Supreme Court scheduled for Monday, demanding an end to alleged vote thefts and calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Support For The Chief Justice Stand
According to reports, senior Congress figures Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had sought an appointment to meet with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. However, the CJI declined to meet them regarding the allegations of vote theft, noting that similar matters were already sub judice before the Supreme Court. Speaking to journalists in Nagpur, Fadnavis criticized the opposition decision to stage a march toward the apex court, labeling it unconstitutional and alleging that opposition leaders resorted to derogatory language after their meeting request was turned down.
Questioning Constitutional Propriety
Fadnavis asserted that those who harbor grievances should approach the courts and fight their legal battles within the proper judicial framework rather than resorting to street protests. He reiterated that the actions of the opposition demonstrate a fundamental lack of faith in the constitution. Questioning the logic behind the planned protests, Fadnavis asked how any political leader could expect the Chief Justice of India to meet marching protesters, emphasizing that no constitutional provision mandates such meetings and that the CJI acted in strict accordance with the law.
