BENGALURU: Karnataka Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka on September 27 launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of the Election Commission and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing the Congress of questioning constitutional institutions after facing political setbacks.
Addressing a joint press conference at the BJP office along with Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Ashoka said Rahul Gandhi had previously criticised electronic voting machines and was now targeting the Election Commission. He referred to Rahul Gandhi’s earlier remarks describing EVMs as a “black box” and argued that the technology had been introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
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Ashoka alleged that the Congress was raising questions about the Election Commission because of concerns over the electoral impact of SIR. His remarks came amid a wider political dispute over the revision of electoral rolls, with opposition parties questioning the exercise and the Election Commission defending its authority and procedures.
The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering elections. Its current leadership comprises Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
The controversy intensified after reports that the two Election Commissioners had raised objections on several occasions over decisions concerning SIR. An Indian Express report cited 14 objections over a 10-month period. The Election Commission, however, rejected the interpretation that the differences amounted to a breakdown in decision-making and maintained that its major decisions were taken unanimously.
Ashoka said the Congress should approach courts if it believed there were procedural violations in electoral-roll revision. He claimed the BJP would not be affected by protests or political campaigns against SIR and said the party was prepared to face the Congress campaign.
He also questioned Congress leaders for criticising the Election Commission while accepting electoral outcomes when they won elections. According to Ashoka, institutions should not be judged differently depending on whether an election result favours a particular political party.
On the legal position concerning SIR, Ashoka referred to the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling upholding the Election Commission’s power to conduct the revision exercise. In May 2026, the Supreme Court held that the ECI has constitutional and statutory authority to conduct SIR and said the exercise has a connection with the objective of ensuring free and fair elections.
The Karnataka High Court also declined in July to interfere with the Election Commission’s timeline for the ongoing SIR exercise, observing that procedural issues were best addressed by the poll panel.
Ashoka further criticised Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar while referring to the state government’s handling of several issues. He questioned why Congress leaders were asking the Election Commission to step out while, in his words, similar demands were not being made against the state government. These remarks were part of his broader political criticism of the Congress government.
On the proposed all-party delegation seeking drought relief, Ashoka said the BJP would not join the state government’s delegation. He said his party would participate in an all-party delegation on the Kasturirangan report but would not accompany the government to seek drought assistance, alleging that farmers had not received adequate relief.
Ashoka also attacked the Congress government over its guarantee schemes and the state’s financial position. He alleged that the government was considering reducing some of the guarantees and claimed that even Congress legislators were questioning their continuation. The Congress government has maintained that its guarantee programmes are being implemented as part of its policy commitments.
The BJP leader also spoke about the continuing opposition to the proposed Bidadi Township project. He alleged that farmers protesting against land acquisition had been subjected to police action and criticised the state government’s approach. Ashoka said the BJP would oppose the project if it returned to power and expressed support for the farmers’ agitation.
He also alleged that the Congress government was facing financial difficulties and criticised its handling of issues concerning farmers, welfare schemes and development projects.
Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, who addressed the press conference with Ashoka, also criticised Rahul Gandhi and the Congress over the SIR controversy. He alleged that the Congress was opposing the electoral-roll revision because of concerns over changes in its voter base.
Narayanaswamy said the Election Commission should be allowed to carry out its constitutional responsibilities and rejected allegations that the poll panel was working at the direction of any political party. The ECI itself describes its role as administering electoral processes as an autonomous constitutional authority.
