New Delhi : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the INDIA bloc would approach the Supreme Court with a joint petition over alleged electoral irregularities, as opposition parties continued their protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The proposed move follows Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s decision to decline the opposition leaders’ request for a meeting, advising them to seek legal relief through the court.

Addressing reporters, Gandhi said opposition leaders would file the petition at 3 pm and appealed to citizens to support their campaign, which the bloc says is aimed at protecting democratic institutions and the Constitution.

The INDIA bloc’s proposed march comes amid a dispute over alleged electoral irregularities and opposition demands for accountability from the Election Commission.

Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the parties respected the Chief Justice’s decision but would continue with their planned programme. He described the campaign as a movement to safeguard democratic values and urged citizens to participate.

On Sunday, Justice Surya Kant declined the opposition leaders’ request for a meeting to submit a representation on the issue, stating that the matter was already before the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice subsequently reiterated that citizens and elected representatives were free to approach the court through the established legal process.

Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been campaigning for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner, expressed support for the INDIA bloc’s proposed march. CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka said party representatives would stand in solidarity with the opposition and other groups raising concerns over electoral processes. The party also said it would approach Delhi Police to seek permission for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar.

Security arrangements were tightened across parts of central Delhi ahead of the planned gathering.

While opposition parties have raised allegations concerning the electoral process and called for the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation, the matter is now set to be pursued through the judicial route. The outcome will depend on the proceedings before the Supreme Court.