The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vehemently criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following his meeting with President Droupadi Murmu. Party MP Sambit Patra labelled Gandhi a “Nalayak Neta”, which translates to “good-for-nothing leader”, in response to allegations Gandhi raised regarding electoral irregularities and his call for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

During a press conference held in New Delhi on Saturday, Patra accused Gandhi of attempting to involve the President in political controversies. He described Gandhi’s conduct as anarchic and asserted that remarks made by the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) reflected poorly on his political integrity. “It pains me to say this, but this is the reality,” he stated.

Patra acknowledged Gandhi’s position but argued that the Leader of the Opposition’s language and allegations against constitutional institutions warranted backlash. He expressed concern that Gandhi’s statements were not only baseless but also served to undermine the integrity of these institutions.

Response to Opposition Delegation

The BJP’s remarks followed a significant event where a ten-member delegation from the INDIA bloc, headed by Rahul Gandhi, met with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. During this meeting, they submitted a memorandum urging her intervention concerning allegations related to the Election Commission.

The delegation expressed serious concerns about purported irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, specifically alleging the removal of valid voter names. Furthermore, they sought the ousting of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, claiming that the Election Commission had manipulated electoral processes in favour of the BJP.

This meeting ensued after a protest march led by Opposition MPs moving from Parliament to Rashtrapati Bhavan. However, police obstructed the march at Vijay Chowk, where a sit-in was staged while the delegation proceeded to meet the President. Following this meeting, a Congress MP from Rae Bareilly mentioned that the President requested the delegation to present evidence supporting their allegations.

Continuing the Campaign Against the EC

The INDIA bloc has remained steadfast in its campaign against the Election Commission, announcing its intention to persist until its demands are met. In addition to seeking Gyanesh Kumar’s removal, the Opposition has called for the suspension of the SIR process and an inquiry into allegations of electoral discrepancies.

The Election Commission, for its part, has maintained that its decisions adhere to regulatory frameworks and that divergent opinions among commissioners are part of normal institutional proceedings. Government sources have refuted claims that President Murmu endorsed the allegations, labelling it unfortunate that she has been drawn into this political controversy.

As the situation develops, attention will focus on the Opposition’s forthcoming actions and how authorities will respond to the charges made against the electoral process. Continued scrutiny of the political discourse surrounding these electoral allegations is anticipated in the coming days.

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