'Threat to Democracy': JP Nadda Slams Congress Over Electoral Distrust
Union Minister JP Nadda attacks Congress and Rahul Gandhi for "irresponsible attitude" and distrust of the Election Commission during a Bhopal march.
Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has launched a blistering attack on the Congress party, accusing it of displaying an "irresponsible attitude" and attempting to engineer institutional distrust due to its own electoral failures. Speaking during the BJP’s ‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’ (Save Democracy, Eliminate Anarchy) march in Bhopal, Nadda asserted that the Congress leadership, specifically Rahul Gandhi, has become a direct threat to the country's democratic frameworks.
Accusations of Electoral Frustration
Nadda claimed that the opposition is deliberately trying to create instability in India because they lack genuine public support. He argued that the Congress party resorts to blaming the Election Commission only when it faces defeat.
Highlighting what he called the "double standards" of the opposition, the Union Minister pointed out that the Congress has no issues with the electoral process when they emerge victorious. "When they win, like in Himachal or Kerala, everything is fine; but when they lose elsewhere, they label the Election Commission as dishonest," Nadda remarked.
Defending the Election Commission
To contrast India's robust electoral system with global practices, Nadda compared the Indian process to the US mid-term elections, noting that while Americans must register themselves, Indian Booth Level Officers (BLOs) go door-to-door to facilitate registration.
He cited a specific example of the Election Commission's dedication, mentioning how officials ventured deep into forests to ensure that Mahant Haridas Udasi could cast his vote. Nadda emphasized the sheer scale of the operation, noting that approximately 1.27 million BLOs and 1,024,000 officers were deployed to maintain the democratic process.
The EVM vs. Ballot Paper Debate
Addressing the ongoing controversy regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Nadda questioned the credibility of the Congress party's objections. He recalled a hackathon organized by the Election Commission, questioning why Congress members failed to participate if they had genuine concerns.
He further mocked the demand for a return to ballot papers, stating that the Congress party managed to win only one seat during the era of ballot papers. "I would advise Rahul Baba to stop worrying about EVMs and instead engage in self-reflection; look within," he added.
Personal History and Institutional Integrity
The Union Minister also drew from his personal experiences to criticize the Congress's political legacy. Recalling the Emergency, Nadda shared that he was a victim of that era, stating that police had taken him away directly from his classroom and that entire families were imprisoned. He suggested that the party simply does not know how to win the hearts of the people.
Addressing Voter Data and Anomalies
Nadda also touched upon the issue of voter rolls and data corrections. He noted that while a large number of fake voters had been registered, the Election Commission had successfully struck them off. He specifically highlighted West Bengal, noting a 66% increase in the number of voters between 2004 and 2024.
Concluding his address, Nadda reiterated that the current administration enjoys massive popular backing, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi resides in the hearts of 1.4 billion Indians.