BJP targets Congress over deleted CJI post, cites 'true intentions'
Synopsis
A single deleted X post from the Kerala Congress handle demanding CJI Surya Kant's resignation has spiralled into a national political flashpoint. The BJP is using the episode — and Congress's post-deletion damage control — to press a wider narrative that the opposition systematically targets India's constitutional institutions. With a formal apology still not forthcoming, the row is far from over.
Key Takeaways
The KPCC official X handle posted an 'objectionable' demand for CJI Surya Kant's resignation on 13 October 2026 .
The Kerala Congress unit deleted the post and sacked the worker responsible, saying it was published without leadership knowledge or consent.
Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the deletion does not change the 'sentiment' or the party's 'true intentions'.
BJP National Secretary Rohan Gupta accused Congress of promoting 'anarchy' against constitutional authorities and demanded a formal apology.
BJP spokesperson C.R.
Kesavan linked the post to what he called a 'crude and uncivilised culture' encouraged by Rahul Gandhi .
The Congress party at the national level had not issued a separate statement as of the time of reporting.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on 13 October 2026 escalated its attack on the Indian National Congress over a now-deleted post on X from the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) handle that had demanded the resignation of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. Even after the Congress unit deleted the post and sacked the worker responsible, the BJP maintained that the deletion did not erase the party's underlying intent.
What the Controversy Is About
The row erupted after the KPCC official X handle published what has been described as an 'objectionable post' demanding CJI Surya Kant's resignation, citing his comments on the law and order situation. The post triggered swift and intense backlash across political circles. The Kerala Congress unit subsequently deleted the post and dismissed the employee behind it, offering the explanation that the tweet was published without the knowledge, consent, or consultation of the KPCC leadership.
What BJP Leaders Said
Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar was unsparing in his criticism, arguing that the episode revealed a deliberate pattern. 'Deleting a tweet does not change the sentiment behind it or what the Congress party thinks and does. Rahul Gandhi has a strategy of abusing India and its institutions, whether the judiciary, Election Commission, government, media or young entrepreneurs,' Chandrasekhar said.
BJP National Secretary Rohan Gupta accused the Congress of resorting to 'anarchy', saying the party's 'dangerous designs' were now becoming visible. 'How can anyone make such statements about the CJI? Whether it is the Election Commissioner, the CJI or the President, will Congress create anarchy whenever a constitutional authority does not agree with it? This dangerous side of Congress is now being exposed before the country,' Gupta said, also demanding a formal apology from the party.
BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan went further, linking the episode to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's broader conduct, stating, 'This pungent tweet shows the crude and uncivilised culture encouraged and perpetrated by Rahul Gandhi.'
Congress's Position
The KPCC leadership distanced itself from the post, framing it as an unauthorised action by a single worker. The Kerala Congress unit has not, however, issued a formal apology to the Chief Justice, which the BJP is now publicly demanding. The Congress party at the national level had not, as of the time of this report, issued a separate statement on the matter.
The Broader Pattern
This is not the first time the Congress has faced accusations of targeting constitutional institutions. The BJP has repeatedly alleged that the opposition party undermines independent bodies — including the Election Commission of India (ECI), the judiciary, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) — whenever their decisions run counter to Congress's political positions. Critics argue that such episodes, regardless of intent, raise questions about the boundaries of political speech when directed at the judiciary. Notably, calls for the resignation of sitting judges are particularly sensitive under Indian constitutional convention, as judges of the Supreme Court can be removed only through a formal parliamentary impeachment process.
How the Congress responds to escalating pressure for an apology is likely to define the political fallout in Kerala in the days ahead.
Point of View
The BJP is attempting to cement a narrative of institutional hostility that it can deploy in Kerala ahead of future electoral cycles. What the episode also reveals is the structural risk of verified social media handles for state party units — one unauthorised post can hand the opposition a ready-made attack line that a quiet deletion cannot neutralise. Congress's failure to issue a direct, senior-level apology — rather than an explanation — is precisely the gap the BJP is now exploiting.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the KPCC post that triggered the BJP-Congress row?
The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee's official X handle published a post demanding the resignation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant over his remarks on the law and order situation. The post was widely condemned as objectionable and was subsequently deleted by the Kerala Congress unit, which also sacked the employee responsible.
Why is the BJP continuing to attack Congress even after the post was deleted?
The BJP argues that deleting the post does not erase the underlying sentiment, and has used the episode to press a broader narrative that the Congress party and its leadership systematically target independent constitutional institutions. Senior BJP leaders have demanded a formal apology, which has not yet been issued.
What did Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar say about the row?
Chandrasekhar said the deletion did not change 'the sentiment behind it or what the Congress party thinks and does', and accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of pursuing a strategy of 'abusing India and its institutions', including the judiciary, the Election Commission, and the media.
Can a Chief Justice of India be made to resign through public demand?
No. Under the Indian Constitution, a Supreme Court judge, including the Chief Justice, can be removed only through a formal impeachment process requiring a special majority in both Houses of Parliament. Public or political demands for resignation carry no constitutional or legal weight.
What has the Congress said in its defence?
The KPCC leadership stated that the post was published without the knowledge, consent, or consultation of its leadership, and took action by deleting the post and dismissing the worker responsible. The Congress party at the national level had not issued a formal statement on the matter as of the time of reporting.
