Archive · 29 Sep 2026
BJP Accuses Congress of Attacking India’s Election Commission
The Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Congress of unfairly attacking India’s Election Commission.
BJP leader Smriti Irani said the commission helps protect the country’s elections.
She argued that Congress should study why it lost elections instead of blaming the commission.
Irani also questioned Congress about duplicate voters and deceased people appearing on electoral rolls.
She referred to 13.3 crore names that the Election Commission had addressed in a statement on September 26.
Irani asked whether Congress also distrusted the commission in states such as Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh.
She criticized Congress for mentioning its Lahore session while discussing the party’s history.
Irani said A.O. Hume had discussed forming Congress as a way to protect the British Empire.
The article does not provide a detailed response from Congress to Irani’s accusations.
BJP leader Smriti Irani accused the Congress of attacking India’s constitutional institutions, especially the Election Commission of India.
Irani defended the Election Commission as an institution that strengthens India’s electoral system and is respected internationally.
She said Congress was questioning the commission instead of examining its electoral defeats and lack of public support.
Irani questioned Congress’s position on duplicate and deceased voters listed in electoral rolls, citing 13.3 crore names discussed by the party.
She also criticized Congress for referring to the Lahore Congress session while highlighting A.O. Hume’s historical connection to the party’s formation.
- Who
- The Bharatiya Janata Party, represented by national general secretary Smriti Irani, and the Congress party.
- What
- The BJP accused Congress of attacking the Election Commission of India and India’s constitutional framework.
- When
- Tuesday; Irani also referred to an Election Commission statement dated September 26 and a Congress Working Committee meeting held that day.
- Where
- New Delhi, with references to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Karnataka.
- Why
- The BJP said Congress was questioning the Election Commission because it was distressed by electoral defeats and declining public support.
BJP’s Position
Congress’s Position as Described by BJP
Election Commission criticism
BJP’s Position
The BJP says Congress is attacking a constitutional institution that strengthens India’s electoral system and is respected by other countries.
Congress’s Position as Described by BJP
Congress has questioned the Election Commission, according to the BJP’s account, but the article does not provide Congress’s detailed reasoning.
Electoral-roll names
BJP’s Position
Irani says duplicate and deceased names should not remain on electoral rolls and questions why Congress wants such names restored.
Congress’s Position as Described by BJP
Irani says Congress raised the issue of restoring 13.3 crore names, but the article does not include Congress’s explanation of its position.
Political accountability
BJP’s Position
The BJP says Congress should analyze its electoral defeats and lack of public support rather than blame the Election Commission.
Congress’s Position as Described by BJP
Congress continued raising concerns about the Election Commission after its Working Committee meeting, though the article does not include a direct response to the BJP.
- Main speaker
- Smriti Irani, national general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party
- Institution defended
- Election Commission of India
- BJP’s accusation
- Congress is attacking the Election Commission and India’s constitutional framework
- Electoral-roll issue
- Irani discussed duplicate voters, deceased voters, and 13.3 crore names referenced by Congress
- Referenced date
- The Election Commission reportedly issued a statement on September 26
- States mentioned
- Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Karnataka
- Historical reference
- Irani cited A.O. Hume and the formation of Congress under British rule