Jaipur, October 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday criticised the handling of protests by Opposition leaders in Delhi and alleged that recent developments involving the Election Commission had raised serious concerns about democracy and voting rights in the country.
Addressing the media at the Congress War Room, Pilot questioned the detention of Opposition leaders, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, during demonstrations seeking accountability from the Election Commission.
He alleged that Opposition MPs who wanted to meet the constitutional body to present their concerns were detained instead, and questioned why elected representatives were not being allowed to raise issues before the Election Commission.
Describing the developments as “authoritarianism”, Pilot said democratic institutions should remain accessible to dialogue and accountability.
He also raised concerns over the electoral roll revision exercise, alleging that millions of voters could face exclusion and describing the issue as a threat to the constitutional right to vote.
Referring to the issue as “Votebandi” or disenfranchisement, Pilot drew a parallel with demonetisation and said concerns surrounding electoral rolls required immediate attention.
On the recently concluded municipal elections in Rajasthan, Pilot claimed that Congress had performed better than the results indicated, citing the party’s higher vote share.
“I have no hesitation in saying that the BJP lost despite winning, whereas we won despite losing because we secured a higher vote share,” he said.
Pilot also alleged irregularities and administrative interference during the civic polls, claiming that the party had received complaints from several districts regarding the conduct of the elections.
He said Congress had reviewed the municipal election results and begun preparations for the upcoming Panchayati Raj elections.
Expressing confidence about the party’s prospects in rural Rajasthan, Pilot said Congress would seek a “massive majority” in the Panchayat polls.
He said the party would focus its campaign on unemployment, farmers’ concerns, implementation of welfare schemes and the availability of DAP fertiliser.
“There is a complete shortage of DAP fertiliser in Rajasthan. It is being distributed under police protection, yet the government remains indifferent,” he alleged.
Pilot said Congress would contest the upcoming elections unitedly and undertake a two-month public outreach programme covering villages and mandals across Rajasthan.
He added that the party would focus not only on electoral issues but also on what it described as the need to protect democratic institutions and voting rights.
Pilot predicted a “landslide victory” for Congress in the Panchayat polls and said he believed the momentum would strengthen the party’s preparations for the 2028 Rajasthan Assembly elections.
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