Congress alleges vote theft but opposes purification of electoral rolls, exposing its contradictory stand: Randhir Sharma*
*EVMs are acceptable when Congress wins but questionable when it loses; Congress's double standards exposed: Randhir Sharma*
*Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu must clarify whether he will resign if he questions the credibility of the electoral process that brought him to power: Randhir Sharma*
*BJP receives public support in elections conducted through both EVMs and ballot papers; Congress should introspect instead of making allegations: Randhir Sharma*
*Shimla:* BJP Himachal Pradesh State Media In-charge and Shri Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma launched a sharp attack on the Congress party over its agitation against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Sharma accused the Congress of misleading the public and opposing an established constitutional and statutory electoral process. He termed the agitation unconstitutional and said Congress leaders, who frequently invoke the Constitution, should first study its provisions and the laws governing elections.
Sharma said that Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, provide the legal framework for the Election Commission of India to undertake revision of electoral rolls. He pointed out that intensive revision was not a new exercise and had been carried out on several occasions, including during Congress-led governments. He said a similar exercise had taken place between 2002 and 2004, while the latest SIR exercise began in 2025. He questioned why Congress was now opposing a process that had previously been undertaken during its own tenure in government.
The BJP leader said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and other senior party leaders had repeatedly raised allegations of vote theft, duplicate voter registrations and fraudulent entries in electoral rolls. He questioned why the same leaders were now opposing a revision exercise intended to identify irregularities, remove duplicate and ineligible entries through due process, and ensure that every eligible citizen was included in the electoral rolls.
"If Congress genuinely believes that electoral rolls contain duplicate names and fraudulent entries, it should welcome the revision process. Instead, it first alleges vote theft and then opposes the very mechanism intended to address such irregularities. This clearly exposes the contradictory mindset of the Congress leadership," Sharma said.
He added that Congress leaders must explain whether their allegations of vote theft were based on genuine concerns or were merely political statements intended to justify electoral defeats. He maintained that a transparent electoral roll revision exercise should be supported by all political parties committed to free and fair elections.
Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Sharma said that merely carrying a copy of the Constitution did not demonstrate an understanding of its provisions. He said Congress leaders should familiarise themselves with constitutional arrangements and the functioning of democratic institutions before launching political agitations against established electoral procedures.
Sharma further accused Congress of adopting double standards regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the Election Commission. He said Congress accepted election results when it emerged victorious but questioned the same electoral system whenever it suffered a defeat.
He pointed out that Congress formed governments in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka through Assembly elections conducted using EVMs. Similarly, the Aam Aadmi Party, which has been associated with Congress in opposition alliances, formed its government in Punjab following an EVM-based election.
"When Congress wins, it celebrates the result as the people's mandate. When it loses, it begins questioning EVMs and the Election Commission. How can the same voting system be reliable when Congress wins and unreliable when it loses? This selective approach exposes the party's political double standards," Sharma said.
Criticising the participation of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and his Cabinet colleagues in demonstrations against the Election Commission, Sharma alleged that the Congress government had disregarded constitutional propriety and the dignity of democratic institutions.
He said that individuals occupying constitutional positions had a responsibility to maintain respect for institutions established under the Constitution. He accused the Chief Minister and his ministers of questioning the credibility of the very electoral system through which they had been elected to office.
"Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and his ministers came to power through the same electoral process they are now questioning. If they believe that EVMs are unreliable or that the Election Commission is manipulating elections, does the Chief Minister also question the legitimacy of his own election? Will he resign from his position on that basis?" Sharma asked.
He further questioned the moral authority of the Chief Minister to criticise the Election Commission, alleging that the state government had itself adopted a confrontational attitude towards the Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission during elections to Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.
Sharma alleged that the Congress government had repeatedly disregarded directions and notifications relating to reservations, reorganisation of local bodies, preparation of electoral rolls and other election-related administrative arrangements.
"Before questioning the Election Commission of India, the Chief Minister should examine his government's own conduct towards the State Election Commission. Constitutional institutions cannot be respected selectively according to political convenience," he said.
Referring to recent municipal corporation elections in Himachal Pradesh, Sharma said the BJP had secured victories in three of the four municipal corporations, while Congress won one. He questioned whether Congress would also challenge the credibility of EVMs in the municipal corporation where its candidates emerged victorious.
He said the results demonstrated that voters were capable of making their own democratic choices and that political parties should respect the verdict of the electorate.
Sharma also referred to elections to Panchayati Raj institutions, which were conducted through ballot papers. He claimed that BJP-backed candidates had received substantial public support in Zila Parishads, Panchayat Samitis and other local bodies across Himachal Pradesh.
"Whether elections are conducted through EVMs or ballot papers, the people know how to exercise their democratic rights. BJP has received public support through both systems. Congress should respect the people's verdict instead of repeatedly blaming the electoral process for its political setbacks," he said.
The BJP State Media In-charge accused Congress of attempting to divert public attention from its organisational weaknesses, internal disagreements and electoral defeats by continuously raising questions about the Election Commission and the electoral system.
He said the Congress leadership should undertake serious introspection regarding its policies, organisational functioning and political strategy rather than blaming constitutional institutions.
Sharma also questioned the participation of the Chief Minister and Cabinet ministers in the agitation against SIR in Himachal Pradesh. He alleged that their direct involvement reflected the weakening organisational structure of the Congress party in the state.
"Has the Congress organisation become so weak that the Chief Minister and ministers themselves have to lead political demonstrations? Does the party no longer have sufficient workers to organise its own protests? Instead of creating controversies, Congress should introspect about its organisational condition," he remarked.
Responding to questions from journalists, Sharma acknowledged that matters concerning the SIR exercise were also under judicial consideration. He said the Election Commission had issued clarifications regarding the revision process and that political parties with objections should place verifiable evidence before the appropriate authorities and seek remedies through established legal procedures.
He maintained that the BJP supported transparency, accuracy and integrity in electoral rolls, along with the protection of voting rights for every eligible Indian citizen.
"No eligible voter should be deprived of the right to vote. At the same time, duplicate and ineligible entries must be identified and addressed strictly in accordance with the law. Maintaining accurate electoral rolls is essential for strengthening public confidence in democracy," Sharma said.
Concluding his remarks, Sharma said the BJP-led Union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained committed to public welfare, national development and good governance.
He urged the Congress to focus on issues affecting the people and undertake political introspection instead of making what he described as baseless allegations against the Election Commission and other constitutional institutions.
"Congress should stop attempting to conceal its political shortcomings by questioning democratic institutions. The party must respect the electoral mandate, review its leadership and policies, and focus on constructive politics rather than misleading the public," Sharma added.