INDIA bloc writes to CJI on ‘biased conduct’ of EC; DMK, AAP sign letter

Twenty-three Opposition parties have sent a joint memorandum to the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, alleging “biased” behavior by the Election Commission, highlighting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being carried out in States like West Bengal and Bihar, as well as the ongoing exercise in other States.

DMK and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), two political parties that were not present at the INDIA block meeting, also signed the letter. AAP is not part of the bloc; The DMK, on ​​the other hand, had informed its allies that it would not attend the meeting and had berated the Congress for what it called a post-election “betrayal” after the party switched sides to the TVK-led government in the state following the alliance’s defeat in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

The decision to send a joint letter was taken at the INDIA bloc meeting held in Delhi on June 8. The meeting was convened at the insistence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after the Trinamool Congress suffered defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. INDIA had called on bloc leaders to visit the State to reflect the unity of the Opposition. However, the proposal did not find support. Instead, several leaders, especially Independent Rajya Sabha MP and senior Supreme Court lawyer Kapil Sibal, suggested that a joint memorandum be sent to the Chief Justice of India regarding allegations of election irregularities.

Announcing the move, Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X: “Opposition parties are firmly committed to SURE (Solidarity, Unity and Resistance).”

INDIA blog did not share the content of the letter. But a senior leader said: “India’s democracy turns to the judiciary when all else fails. We have flagged the biased behavior of the Election Commission and the ways election results were manipulated.”

The Supreme Court of India has already heard a petition regarding SIR. On May 27, a two-judge Bench unanimously upheld the SIR in Bihar and held that the exercise was constitutionally valid, proportionate and within the powers of the EC under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The verdict was given by Chief Justice Surya Kant on behalf of himself and Justice Joymalya Bagchi after nearly seven months of hearings over 29 days.