Chidambaram Says ‘Regime Change’ Is Normal in Democracy, Says Opposition Must Seek Power Through Elections

New Delhi, October 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

Veteran Congress leader P. Chidambaram has defended the use of the phrase “regime change” in the context of ongoing political protests, saying a change of government through elections is part of the democratic process.

Chidambaram’s remarks come amid protests in the national capital targeting the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of “vote theft” and irregularities in electoral roll revision.

Taking to X, Chidambaram said the BJP’s objections to the phrase were misplaced and outlined what he described as the Opposition’s role in a democracy.

“‘Regime change’ is normal in a democracy,” he wrote.

“The duty of the Opposition is to ‘oppose, expose and depose’ the government. Which means: Oppose in politics, expose in Parliament and depose through elections,” Chidambaram added.

The remarks followed comments by senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, who described the ongoing protests as having developed into a “fight for regime change” and called it a democratic right of citizens.

All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora had also referred to Bangladesh’s Gen Z movement as an inspiration for young people in India, drawing criticism from the BJP.

The BJP has argued that references to “regime change” indicate that the protests go beyond their stated concerns over the Election Commission and electoral processes.

BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged that Opposition parties were using the term in a context associated with attempts to overthrow governments through means other than elections. He also claimed that the Opposition was seeking to create political instability amid diminishing public support.

Opposition leaders have rejected that interpretation and continued to focus their criticism on the Chief Election Commissioner and alleged irregularities in electoral roll revision.

Congress Rajya Sabha member Pawan Khera said the ruling BJP was promoting a narrative in which demands for a change in government were being portrayed as “anti-national” or “anarchic”.

Khera said the Congress was committed to changing the government through the political process.

The competing statements have added a political dimension to the protests, with the Opposition emphasising electoral accountability and the BJP questioning the broader intent behind references to “regime change”.