Guwahati, 28 September (HS): Assam Pradesh BJP president Dilip Saikia on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, alleging that the Election Commission of India’s recent clarification had exposed what he described as the party’s “lies, misinformation and propaganda” against the poll panel and electoral process.

Addressing a press conference at Vajpayee Bhawan, the Nagaon district BJP office, Saikia alleged that Congress and other Opposition parties questioned the credibility of the Election Commission and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) whenever they lost elections, while accepting their credibility when they emerged victorious.

He said Opposition parties had repeatedly blamed the Election Commission and EVMs for electoral defeats but had failed to establish their allegations before courts or among the people. Saikia further alleged that the Opposition was attempting to undermine the credibility of constitutional institutions, including the Executive and Judiciary.

Referring to Congress's demand for a return to ballot-paper voting, Saikia said the party had also suffered defeats in recent local-body elections conducted through ballot papers. He claimed that Congress, under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, had suffered more than 90 electoral defeats.

On the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Saikia referred to Gandhi’s remarks on EVMs and the controversy surrounding their functioning. He said the Election Commission had repeatedly defended the reliability and integrity of EVMs before the Supreme Court.

Saikia also referred to the Rafale controversy and alleged remarks made by Gandhi concerning the Supreme Court and the “Chowkidar chor hai” slogan. He said the matter subsequently figured in contempt proceedings and Gandhi had tendered an unconditional apology before the court.

On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Saikia asserted that decisions related to the exercise had been taken unanimously by all three Election Commissioners. He alleged that attempts to question the impartiality of the electoral process reflected political frustration within the Opposition.

Referring to Form 6, Saikia said the Supreme Court had upheld its validity and accused the Opposition of continuing to raise objections with the intention of undermining constitutional institutions.

“The Congress needs to learn to respect constitutional institutions,” Saikia said, adding that the Election Commission’s clarification had, in his view, exposed the party’s approach towards independent constitutional bodies.

Assam Cabinet Minister Sushanta Borthakur, MLAs Pradyut Bordoloi, Rupak Sarma and Diplu Ranjan Sarma, besides several senior Assam Pradesh BJP leaders, attended the press conference.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash