News Brief
PIL In SC Seeks De-Registration of Congress Over ‘Vote-Chori’ Campaign Against ECI
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The Supreme Court of India. (File Photo)
A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court demanding the de-registration of the Indian National Congress (INC) and a probe into its leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, for their “Vote-Chori” campaign targeting the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The petition also seeks the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine their campaign.
The petitioner, Satish Kumar Aggarwal, former Vice President of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, alleged that the INC and its top leaders have been carrying out “anti-constitutional activities, propaganda, and campaigns” against the ECI, the Live Law reported.
He argued that “the said propaganda, designed to undermine the constitutional authority of the Election Commission, directly impinges upon the sanctity of the democratic process.”
As an interim measure, Aggarwal has requested the court to impose an ex parte stay preventing the INC, Gandhi, Kharge, their representatives, and agents from making public remarks or campaigns that could erode the impartiality and credibility of the ECI while the case is pending.
The plea contends that while registering as a political party, the INC pledged allegiance to the Constitution, but its recent actions violate that oath and interfere with the ECI’s statutory functions.
Referring to the Bihar voter list revision case, which is currently sub judice, the petitioner said: “Once the issue of special intensive revision of the voter list of the State of Bihar is sub-judice before this Hon'ble Court, the political parties, especially the Indian National Congress and its leader Sh. Rahul Gandhi and Shri Mallikarjun Kharge cannot make any campaign, propaganda and cannot use the language (Vote Chor) in public meetings.”
The petition further accuses the INC leadership of tarnishing the image of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar by using “unparliamentary words” such as “vote-chor” in media platforms.
Separately, another PIL has been filed seeking an SIT probe into Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of large-scale voter list manipulation in Bengaluru Central during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
