New Delhi, September 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday accused the Congress of attacking the Election Commission of India (ECI) and undermining constitutional institutions, with BJP National General Secretary Smriti Irani alleging that the party was originally formed to protect the British Empire.
Addressing a press conference, Irani accused the Congress leadership of attempting to tarnish the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said the party’s criticism should not extend to constitutional institutions or the country’s democratic framework.
Referring to a statement allegedly made by a former Congress president in 2019, Irani said the leader had vowed to make every possible effort to damage Modi’s image.
“Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly said that they may mock him or attack him, but this attack by Congress should not turn into an attack on constitutional institutions and the democracy of India. However, the leadership of the Congress Party is leaving no stone unturned to tear apart the constitutional framework of India,” she said.
Defending the ECI amid the ongoing controversy, Irani described the poll body as an institution that strengthens India’s electoral system and said it had earned recognition internationally.
She alleged that the Congress was targeting the Election Commission because it was distressed by its lack of public support, adding that the party should analyse its electoral defeats instead of questioning the poll body.
Irani also questioned the Congress’s position on the functioning of the Election Commission in states where the BJP is not in power, including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Karnataka. She asked whether the Congress leadership had accepted the ECI’s functioning in these states or was raising questions about its role there as well.
Referring to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, Irani said the party’s leadership had raised concerns about 13.3 crore names, despite the Election Commission having issued a statement on the matter on September 26.
She questioned why the Congress wanted names of deceased persons and duplicate entries to remain on electoral rolls, if such discrepancies had been identified.
Irani also criticised the Congress for referring to the Lahore Congress session while discussing the party’s history. She cited the role of A.O. Hume, who served as Secretary in the Department of Revenue, Agriculture and Commerce under the British government.
Claiming that Hume had discussed the formation of the Congress with the then Viceroy as a means of protecting the British Empire, Irani said the party should also address this historical account when referring to its past.
“The party which was formed for the protection of the British government is today attacking the country’s Election Commission by mentioning the Lahore Congress session. There cannot be anything more shameful than this,” she said.
Irani’s remarks came amid an ongoing political controversy over the Election Commission and electoral rolls, with the BJP defending the institution and accusing the Congress of questioning its credibility.
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