Silence Leaves Opposition with No Option but to Approach CJI: Shivakumar

BENGALURU, OCT 12 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday said the Opposition had been left with no option but to approach the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to safeguard voting rights and democracy, alleging that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had failed to address its concerns over electoral rolls despite repeated representations.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to Chennai, Shivakumar said the Prime Minister should have called Opposition leaders for discussions and sought to understand their grievances if the Election Commission had failed to respond to their concerns.

“When the Election Commission does not respond despite meeting it, the Prime Minister should have called us and asked what the problem was. In such a situation, there is no option but to meet the Chief Justice,” he said.

His remarks came amid efforts by the INDIA bloc to draw the judiciary’s attention to alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the exclusion of eligible voters. The CJI has reportedly declined an appointment sought by Opposition leaders.

Reacting to the reported denial of an appointment, Shivakumar said political leaders must use every available opportunity to protect democratic institutions and citizens’ voting rights.

“The right to vote is our right to life. It is our life. Opposition leaders are functioning as the voice of the people of the country,” he said.

Around 200 Congress MLAs, MLCs and party leaders from Karnataka, including Shivakumar, have reached New Delhi to participate in a protest march to the Supreme Court under the leadership of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in electoral rolls and the removal of eligible voters. Party leaders have accused the Election Commission of favouring the BJP and alleged that the Centre has ignored repeated representations seeking corrective action.

Congress leader BK Hariprasad said the issue went beyond the demand for the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation, alleging that 13 crore eligible voters had been excluded from electoral rolls across the country.

The controversy has intensified the political confrontation between the Opposition and the Election Commission over the integrity of electoral rolls and the handling of complaints. The allegations of voter exclusion and political bias remain claims made by Congress leaders.