JP Nadda Targets Rahul Gandhi Over ECI Row, Accuses Opposition of ‘Confusion’

JP Nadda Attacks Opposition Over ECI Controversy

Union Minister and BJP president JP Nadda on September 28, 2026, criticised the Congress and the broader INDIA bloc over their allegations concerning the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Nadda accused opposition leaders of attempting to create confusion and disturb the political atmosphere by repeatedly raising allegations against the poll panel. He said the opposition's claims had been addressed by responses from the Election Commission.

Nadda Directly Targets Rahul Gandhi

Nadda specifically targeted Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, saying that repeatedly making an allegation does not establish it as fact.

He also criticised Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that their political activities were focused on questioning constitutional and autonomous institutions. These were Nadda's political assertions.

Nadda described what he called a “toolkit mentality”, alleging that opposition leaders make accusations, create confusion and then move on to other issues.

Dispute Centres on Election Commission and SIR

The political confrontation comes amid opposition criticism of the Election Commission's handling of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The ECI has rejected reports of internal dissent over the SIR process. The poll panel has said that differences in views, observations and technical suggestions can occur during decision-making, while maintaining that its final decisions are taken unanimously.

Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have continued to raise concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission and the electoral-roll revision process.

Nadda Says Opposition Allegations Have Been Rejected

Nadda argued that allegations raised by opposition leaders had been rejected when examined against what he described as the available facts and responses from the Election Commission.

He said the opposition continued to raise the issue despite explanations from members of the poll panel. His comments were made against the backdrop of a wider political dispute over electoral-roll revisions and the functioning of the ECI.

Congress Maintains Its Criticism of the ECI

The Congress has taken a different position on the controversy. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said the party considers the issue serious and has called a Congress Working Committee meeting to discuss its response and a strategy concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The opposition's concerns include questions about SIR, voter enrolment procedures, additions and deletions from electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission. These remain subjects of political dispute, with the BJP and opposition parties presenting sharply different interpretations.

Political Row Continues

The exchange between Nadda and the opposition comes as the ECI controversy continues to generate political debate.

While Nadda has defended the Election Commission and accused opposition leaders of attempting to create confusion, opposition parties have continued to question the poll panel's handling of electoral-roll revision and other election-related processes.

The issue is expected to remain a major point of political discussion as parties prepare their next steps over the SIR process and the broader functioning of the Election Commission.

Key Takeaways

• JP Nadda criticised Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders over the ECI controversy.

• Nadda accused the opposition of creating confusion and disturbing the political atmosphere.

• The dispute is linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

• The Election Commission has rejected reports of internal dissent and said final decisions are taken unanimously.

• Congress leaders have continued to raise concerns about the ECI and SIR.

• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called a CWC meeting to discuss the issue and the party's strategy concerning CEC Gyanesh Kumar.