BJP slams Congress over Delhi Chalo terming it an attack on democracy

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BJP national vice-president and Rajya Sabha member Nagaraju, along with others, addressing a press conference in Yadgir on Friday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Congress leadership describing Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s proposed Delhi Chalo scheduled for Sunday as a “direct attack on democracy” and an attempt to foment anarchy across the country.

Addressing a press conference in Yadgir, BJP national vice-president and Rajya Sabha MP M. Nagaraju said that Mr. Gandhi is attempting to destabilize the democratically elected government at the Centre by spreading false narratives regarding the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

​Prof. Nagaraju further targeted activists associated with the foreign-linked organisation, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), accusing them of conspiring against the nation by misleading the youth about the voter-list revision drive.

He said that the Congress is extending support to such entities purely to gain political advantage in the upcoming Assembly elections across four States in 2027.

​Continuing his criticism, the Rajya Sabha member remarked that Mr. Gandhi frequently travels abroad to align with anti-India and left-wing factions only to return and provoke unrest domestically.

He noted that the Congress repeatedly blames Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and electoral revision processes whenever it faces electoral defeat. He added that the party’s poor performance in the recent Council elections reflects its steadily declining public support.

​In contrast, Prof. Nagaraju highlighted the statement made by Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, who recently confirmed that the SIR exercise in the State has been completed smoothly and effectively.

The BJP leader advised Mr. Gandhi to learn about SIR from his own party Minister regarding the legitimacy and transparency of the procedure.

​Taking a dig at Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan over his recent remarks concerning “regime change”, Prof. Nagaraju asserted that governments in a democracy are altered through the people’s mandate at the ballot box, not through street agitation.

Outlining the party’s counter-strategy, Prof. Nagaraju announced that the BJP has launched a two-phase nationwide campaign to expose the Congress’ narrative.

The first phase will run till November 5, while the second phase will take place from November 11 to November 31.

As part of this drive, the party will conduct interactive sessions with students to brief them on the political motives of Mr. Gandhi and the Congress.

​He also questioned Mr. Gandhi’s silence regarding irregularities in recruitment processes conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) as he criticised the NEET.

​Attacking the State administration, the BJP leader said that the D.K. Shivakumar-led Congress government has failed on all fronts and has been unable to fund its promised guarantee schemes.

He pointed out that Mr. Shivakumar has expressed an inability to resolve the grievances of sugarcane farmers.

​Prof. Nagaraju stated that the BJP, which currently governs 21 States, remains firmly focused on returning to power in Karnataka.

​BJP district president Basavaraj Veebhutihalli, Lalita Anpur, Rachanagouda Mudnal, Mahesh Reddy Mudnal, Siddanagouda Kadamnor, Devendra Nath Nad, Nagarathna Kuppi, Hanumanth Itagi and Venkatareddy Abbetumkur were present.

The former Minister B. Sriramulu | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

Meanwhile, launching a scathing attack on Mr. Gandhi over his call for Delhi Chalo at the Ramlila Maidan, the former Minister and BJP leader B. Sriramulu accused the Congress of attempting to destabilise a democratically elected government for political gains.

​Addressing a press conference in Yadgir, Mr. Sriramulu defended the Election Commission of India (ECI) for conducting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists and hit out at Mr. Gandhi for opposing the process.

​”Mr. Gandhi is supporting political entities for his own political survival. He has appealed to the public to join the rally demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the SIR. However, the ECI is conducting this exercise strictly to ensure an accurate and systematic voters list across the nation after duplicate entries were identified across multiple States,” Mr. Sriramulu said.

​He further said that unable to accept the massive mandate given to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) by the people of the country, the Congress and its alliance partners are attempting to topple the Central government through unwarranted protests.

​Turning his focus to the State government, the former Minister criticized Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over agricultural issues, citing a lack of concern for sugarcane growers demanding fair prices and farmers reeling under severe drought conditions across the State.

​Referring to the Congress’ performance in the recent Council elections, Mr. Sriramulu remarked that the ruling party in the State has failed to achieve anything in the Council elections and predicted that its poor performance will likely continue in the future also.

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