BJP Accuses Congress of Creating 'Atmosphere of Anarchy' Over ECI Protest

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, party spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged that the Congress was attempting to create political instability and use the issue to advance the political prospects of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Patra claimed that the Opposition's campaign against the Election Commission was part of a broader strategy and alleged that the Congress and some of its allies were willing to create political disorder to strengthen Gandhi's position.

The BJP leader also accused the INDIA bloc of attempting to create an "atmosphere of anarchy" during its planned march against the Election Commission.

Patra said the BJP wanted to place its version of the issues surrounding the Election Commission and the ongoing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls before the public.

He also criticised what he described as the circulation of misinformation and misconceptions regarding the SIR exercise in recent days.

Referring to Rahul Gandhi's recent post on X concerning the Election Commission's September 26 statement, Patra said the Congress leader had raised several allegations regarding Form 6, which is used for voter registration.

Patra identified four claims he said Gandhi had made: that Form 6 had been changed illegally, that the form had been altered unilaterally, that the Election Commission was attempting to benefit the BJP and that the poll panel had launched what Gandhi described as a "criminal assault" on Indian democracy.

Patra said the Election Commission had already rejected the allegations and referred to the Supreme Court proceedings concerning Form 6.

He cited remarks attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during Monday's hearing, according to which the court had not approved any modification to Form 6 and would examine the relevant records if and when they were placed before it.

The BJP spokesperson argued that the Supreme Court had not declared Form 6 illegal and said the controversy involved a declaration attached to the form in the context of the SIR exercise.

Patra also referred to the Election Commission's September 26 statement and said the poll panel had clarified that the decision concerning the SIR declaration had been taken unanimously by all three Election Commissioners.

He further argued that the Election Commission has constitutional and legal authority to undertake measures related to electoral rolls within its prescribed powers.

Turning to Gandhi's allegation that the Election Commission was working in favour of the BJP, Patra pointed out that Gyanesh Kumar became Chief Election Commissioner in February 2025, after the 2014, 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections had already been conducted.

He questioned why similar concerns were not raised over former Chief Election Commissioner V.K. Sampath, who was appointed in 2012 during the previous UPA government and served during the 2014 Lok Sabha election, when the BJP subsequently formed the government at the Centre.

Patra maintained that the BJP's position was that the Election Commission's actions should be viewed in the context of its constitutional responsibilities rather than through political allegations.

The BJP's remarks came as INDIA bloc parties prepared to demonstrate against the Election Commission and demand action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, with the dispute over the SIR exercise and electoral rolls becoming a major point of confrontation between the Opposition and the ruling party.