‘Democracy in jeopardy’: INDIA bloc writes to CJI

INDIA bloc parties, in a joint memorandum to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, said they were approaching him because "democracy is in jeopardy".

- ANAND SINGH

They alleged partisan conduct by the Election Commission of India (ECI), manipulation of electoral processes and misuse of central investigative agencies against Opposition parties.

The six-page memorandum, sent to the CJI on June 28, was shared by Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal. It has been signed by leaders of 23 Opposition parties and Independent MP Kapil Sibal.

The letter raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and West Bengal and alleged that recently held elections in Delhi, Haryana and Maharashtra had been "manipulated".

The leaders said they were approaching the court because democratic institutions were under strain and electoral outcomes in several cases did not reflect the will of the people. They warned that if the judiciary failed to respond, it would indicate "a complete breakdown of the Republic".

"We all, representing like minded political parties, firmly opposed to the BJP, believe that the electoral process is being manipulated and outcomes in multiple instances do not reflect the will of the people," the letter said. It was also signed by the DMK and AAP, both of which have lately stayed away from INDIA bloc activities.

The Opposition parties claimed that the manner in which the Election Commission is constituted has always been decided by the government in power. They alleged that since 2014, "almost every appointment" made to the Commission had been of persons closely associated with the government and accused them of "doing the bidding of the government" to manipulate election outcomes.