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Why India’s Opposition Parties Keep Contesting Despite Rigging Claims
Some people say India’s Opposition parties should stop taking part in elections if they believe the elections are unfair.
Abhijeet Dipke argues that joining the elections makes them look legitimate.
Others say leaving the race could give the ruling party nearly all the seats.
They also worry that party workers could lose support and that parties could lose money needed to keep operating.
Congress leader Amitabh Dubey thinks more people voting together is a better way to respond.
He says boycotts can make the Opposition weaker, as happened in Bangladesh’s elections.
Opposition leaders say they can contest elections while also demanding that they be fair.
The debate is about how best to challenge alleged election problems without giving up political influence.
Campaign founder Abhijeet Dipke urged Opposition parties to boycott elections if they distrust the Election Commission’s ability to hold fair polls.
Dipke argued that participation lends elections legitimacy, while supporters of a boycott say it could spur protests and new political movements.
Congress leader Amitabh Dubey said mass mobilisation and increased voting would be a better response, warning that boycotts can backfire.
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien said a boycott could hand seats to the BJP and betray party workers.
Opposition parties also face practical concerns: boycotts could weaken their legislative voice, cut campaign funds and leave space for proxy groups.
- Who
- Abhijeet Dipke called on Opposition parties to boycott elections; Congress leader Amitabh Dubey and Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien argued against a boycott.
- What
- The article examines why India’s Opposition parties continue contesting elections despite alleging irregularities, rather than boycotting them.
- Where
- India, with Bangladesh cited as an example of election boycotts.
- When
- Dipke made his call on September 25; the article also cites comments by Dubey on a September 2025 show.
- Why
- Opposition parties fear a boycott would hand seats to the ruling party, weaken their voice and organisation, and undermine their ability to contest alleged irregularities.
Arguments for boycotting
Arguments for contesting
Legitimacy of elections
Arguments for boycotting
Dipke argues that participating in elections that parties describe as rigged helps maintain the appearance that they are free and fair.
Arguments for contesting
Opposition leaders argue that contesting elections lets them protect democratic rights and oppose the ruling party from within the electoral process.
How to challenge alleged irregularities
Arguments for boycotting
Boycott supporters say it could help build new political movements, protests and mass mobilisation against alleged irregularities.
Arguments for contesting
Amitabh Dubey argues that a large movement of voters could make manipulation more difficult, without requiring a boycott.
Political and organisational consequences
Arguments for boycotting
Supporters of a boycott argue that refusing to participate would deny elections legitimacy.
Arguments for contesting
Those opposing a boycott warn it could hand seats to the BJP, diminish the Opposition’s legislative voice, cut party funds and weaken party workers.
Key facts
- Boycott call
- Abhijeet Dipke called on Opposition parties to boycott polls if they do not trust the Election Commission to hold free and fair elections.
- Dubey’s position
- Amitabh Dubey said a boycott would be a mistake and argued for mass mobilisation and a large movement of votes.
- O’Brien’s concern
- Derek O’Brien said a boycott could allow the BJP to win all seats and would betray party workers.
- Bangladesh example
- The article says Bangladesh’s Opposition parties boycotted general elections in 2014 and 2024, further diminishing their voice in the legislature.
- Organisational impact
- Political observers cited in the article say election campaigns bring money to parties and help sustain their local apparatus.
- Proposed approach
- O’Brien said Opposition parties should contest elections while also fighting for free and fair polls.
Quotes
Amitabh Dubey
Congress leader who argued against opposition election boycotts.
“Whether you look at Bangladesh or any other country, it boomerangs because the ruling party gets like 90% of the seats and then they can do whatever they want, and tomorrow they could change the Constitution if they want.”
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“Opposition boycotting elections = BJP wins all seats.”
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Sources
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