Abusing Election Commission Not Enough to Win Polls: JD(U) Takes Dig at Rahul Gandhi

JD(U) Says Attacking Election Commission Will Not Win Elections

The Janata Dal (United) on Monday took aim at Rahul Gandhi over his continuing criticism of the Election Commission, arguing that attacking a constitutional institution is not a substitute for building public support.

Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, the party’s national spokesperson, said there was a difference between freedom of expression, dissent and anarchy. He urged Gandhi and other opposition leaders to understand that distinction.

“Abusing the Election Commission is not enough to win elections. You need to reach out to people and work on the ground,” Prasad said, according to a report by PTI published by The Economic Times. <Cite refs={["turn687032search0","turn687032search2"]}/>

The remarks came amid escalating political tensions over the functioning of the Election Commission and demands for accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Prasad’s comments reflect the JD(U)’s criticism of the Congress’s strategy, with the party arguing that electoral success depends on grassroots engagement and public outreach rather than repeated allegations against institutions.

Remarks Come Amid INDIA Bloc’s Move Against Chief Election Commissioner

The JD(U)’s criticism followed a fresh political development in Delhi, where opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc marched towards the Supreme Court on October 12 to pursue a petition concerning the Election Commission and its chief.

The opposition has accused the poll body of irregularities in the electoral process and raised concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Several opposition leaders have used the phrase “vote chori”, or vote theft, to describe what they allege are problems affecting electoral fairness.

Rahul Gandhi has stepped up his criticism of Gyanesh Kumar, while opposition parties have called for accountability and greater transparency in the management of voter lists.

The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected allegations of deliberate electoral manipulation. The competing claims remain part of an ongoing political dispute, and allegations should be distinguished from findings established through official records or legal proceedings. <Cite refs={["turn687032news19","turn687032news24","turn687032search5"]}/>

The latest confrontation has widened the debate beyond the technical details of electoral-roll revision to include questions about institutional independence, political accountability and public confidence in elections.

JD(U) Questions Congress’s Electoral Performance

Prasad also criticised the Congress’s electoral record, arguing that the party had experienced a long-term decline in its parliamentary strength.

He said the Congress had failed to cross the 100-seat mark in three consecutive Lok Sabha elections under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and called on the party to examine the reasons behind its electoral performance.

The JD(U) spokesperson further claimed that the Congress’s support base had contracted in several states and that the party faced challenges even in states where it held power.

He cited Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka as examples of states where, according to him, the Congress was facing difficulties. He also alleged that internal disagreements were affecting the party in states where it remained in opposition, including Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. These assessments were Prasad’s political claims, rather than independent findings about the causes of the Congress’s electoral performance. <Cite refs={["turn687032search0","turn687032search2"]}/>

The criticism places the focus on a wider question in Indian politics: how parties respond to electoral setbacks and translate public dissatisfaction into political support.

While the JD(U) argues that the Congress should concentrate on organisational work and voter outreach, the Congress has continued to raise concerns about electoral administration and the conduct of the Election Commission.

JD(U) Alleges Congress Is Using the EC Controversy to Divert Attention

Prasad alleged that internal discord and leadership-related problems had weakened the Congress and claimed that the party was using its criticism of the Election Commission to divert attention from those issues.

He argued that opposition leaders should examine their own organisational challenges instead of attributing electoral difficulties to the functioning of the poll body.

The allegation is part of the political exchange between the JD(U) and Congress over the opposition’s campaign against the Election Commission. The JD(U) has framed the issue as a question of political strategy and electoral accountability, while Congress leaders have argued that concerns about voter registration and election administration deserve answers.

The two positions address different aspects of the controversy. The JD(U)’s comments focus on how the opposition should seek electoral support, while the Congress’s campaign centres on allegations about the electoral process.

Determining the validity of specific claims about voter-list revisions requires examining the relevant records, procedures and evidence. Political criticism alone does not establish whether electoral irregularities occurred.

SIR and Voter-List Transparency Remain at the Centre of the Dispute

The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has become a major point of contention between the ruling alliance and opposition parties.

The exercise is intended to review voter registration records and improve the accuracy of electoral rolls. Supporters say such revisions are important for identifying duplicate or ineligible entries and keeping voter lists updated.

Opposition parties, however, have raised concerns about the possibility of eligible voters being removed and have demanded transparency over the process. They argue that electoral authorities must ensure that legitimate voters are not excluded through administrative errors or inadequate verification.

The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected accusations of deliberate manipulation, maintaining that electoral procedures are intended to protect the integrity of elections.

The debate highlights the importance of balancing accurate voter registration with safeguards for citizens. The number of names removed from a draft roll, by itself, does not prove that all deletions were improper. Individual cases must be assessed on the basis of the reasons for removal, applicable procedures and opportunities for correction or appeal.

The controversy is likely to remain a major political issue as opposition parties continue to pursue their concerns through public demonstrations and legal channels. <Cite refs={["turn687032news19","turn687032news24","turn687032search5"]}/>

Conclusion

The JD(U) has criticised Rahul Gandhi’s campaign against the Election Commission, with spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad arguing that attacking the poll body will not help the Congress win elections. He urged the opposition to focus on grassroots engagement and also questioned the Congress’s electoral record and internal organisation.

The remarks come as INDIA bloc leaders pursue action concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raise allegations of electoral irregularities. The Election Commission and BJP have rejected claims of deliberate manipulation, while opposition parties continue to demand transparency and accountability.

The dispute reflects the continuing political divide over electoral administration and opposition strategy. The underlying allegations about voter-list revisions will need to be assessed through verifiable evidence and the relevant legal and administrative processes.