Congress Should Introspect Instead of Blaming EC for Poll Defeats: MP CM Mohan Yadav

Yadav's remarks came as the Madhya Pradesh Congress prepared to hold a foot march in Bhopal in support of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, amid protests by Opposition parties over the functioning of the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Chief Minister, who was in Mumbai, questioned the Congress's criticism of the electoral process while pointing to the party's electoral victories in states such as Kerala and Himachal Pradesh.

“If there is distrust in the Election Commission’s process, then what is the meaning of Congress’ victory in Kerala?” Yadav said.

He argued that the Congress should instead assess why its political organisation and support base had weakened in several parts of the country. He referred to the party's prolonged absence from power in West Bengal and its weaker position in Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as issues that warranted introspection within the organisation.

“Congress should introspect and strengthen its organisation instead of blaming the Election Commission for every defeat,” Yadav said.

The Chief Minister also said elections in India are conducted through a constitutional framework under the Election Commission and argued that electoral defeats should not be used as a basis for questioning constitutional institutions.

Yadav further said Rahul Gandhi should examine the Congress's electoral performance and leadership rather than hold the Election Commission or other constitutional bodies responsible for the party's repeated setbacks.

His comments came as Congress and other Opposition parties continued their campaign against the Election Commission over electoral rolls and the SIR exercise. The Opposition has alleged irregularities in the revision process and has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected the allegations.

On October 6, Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders were detained during a protest march towards the Election Commission's office in New Delhi. The demonstration was held over Opposition concerns regarding electoral rolls and demands for greater accountability from the poll panel.

The following day, Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition MPs were again detained during a protest in Delhi after attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar.

In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari and Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar were scheduled to lead a foot march at 5 p.m. on Thursday in solidarity with Gandhi.

The state Congress had earlier staged a demonstration outside the Chief Electoral Officer's office in Bhopal following Gandhi's detention in Delhi on October 6.

The latest exchange reflects the wider political dispute between the BJP and Opposition parties over the SIR exercise, the functioning of the Election Commission and the interpretation of recent electoral outcomes.