Union Minister Accuses Congress of Avoiding Introspection and Criticises Its ‘Save Democracy’ Campaign

New Delhi : Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a broadside against the Congress and the INDIA bloc at a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, accusing the Opposition of refusing to introspect after repeated electoral setbacks.

Chouhan said the Congress was expected to examine the reasons behind its defeats, acknowledge its mistakes and reach out to voters. Instead, he alleged, party leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were continuing to level what he described as unfounded allegations against democratic institutions.

Chouhan Takes Aim at ‘Save Democracy’ Marches

Reacting to the INDIA bloc’s decision to organise “Save Democracy” marches from October 2 to 8, Chouhan dismissed the campaign as a “Save Dynasty” march.

He argued that the electorate had moved away from dynastic politics and accused the Congress of shifting attention towards constitutional institutions whenever elections draw closer.

Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s earlier remarks about Mamata Banerjee and the BJP’s electoral performance in West Bengal, Chouhan said the Congress should focus on analysing its own political performance instead of repeatedly questioning institutions.

Questions Presence of Key INDIA Bloc Partners

Chouhan also questioned the unity of the INDIA bloc, pointing to the participation or absence of several prominent alliance leaders.

He referred to Akhilesh Yadav, the DMK, Arvind Kejriwal, Uddhav Thackeray and Hemant Soren while questioning the level of coordination among the Opposition parties.

He said the alliance’s internal differences had become apparent and used the phrase that “one heart broke into a thousand pieces” to describe what he portrayed as the condition of the INDIA bloc.

Electoral Roll Revision Becomes Another Flashpoint

On voter lists, Chouhan questioned why duplicate entries or names of non-citizens should remain on electoral rolls. He argued that voter lists must be regularly reviewed and updated.

The Opposition, meanwhile, has raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and other aspects of the electoral process, making electoral-roll revision a major point of confrontation between the two sides.

Attack on Rahul Gandhi’s Leadership

Chouhan also questioned Rahul Gandhi’s leadership within the INDIA bloc, claiming that the alliance partners had not accepted him as their leader.

Referring to the Congress Working Committee meeting, he said Gandhi’s reported appeal for party colleagues to trust and have faith in him reflected, in his view, questions surrounding his leadership even within the Congress.

‘Zero Vision, 100% Frustration’

Summing up his criticism of the INDIA bloc meeting, Chouhan described its outcome as “zero vision, 100% frustration and an advance excuse for defeat.”

He alleged that the Opposition was preparing the ground to explain future electoral setbacks rather than examining its own political weaknesses.

The INDIA bloc has, however, presented its campaign as a coordinated effort to raise concerns over electoral processes, including the functioning of the Election Commission and issues surrounding voter lists.