‘Why Is BJP Protesting Against the Opposition?’ Congress Questions Rally in Silchar

Congress leaders have accused the BJP of double standards on democracy, questioning why the ruling party is protesting against the opposition while defending the Election Commission amid allegations of vote theft.

Addressing the media on Thursday (15 October), Congress leaders Tamal Banik and Dr Amit Kalwar criticised the BJP over its rally in Silchar on Wednesday (14 October). They alleged that the ruling party was attempting to divert public attention from development issues and opposition concerns about the election process.

Tamal Banik questioned the BJP’s response to protests against the Election Commission, stating that demonstrations are generally organised by opposition parties against those in power. However, he said the current situation was unusual, with the ruling party taking to the streets in support of an institution facing questions from the opposition.

Banik said opposition parties had raised concerns about the election process under the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) amid allegations of vote theft. He added that the opposition had also approached the President over the matter.

He questioned why the BJP was speaking in defence of the Election Commission instead of allowing the institution to respond to the allegations itself. According to Banik, the ruling party’s intervention in the matter was difficult to understand.

Meanwhile, Dr Amit Kalwar said the BJP should focus on development rather than engaging in political confrontations with the opposition.

Questioning the administration’s approach to granting permission for protests, Kalwar said Congress had sought permission to organise demonstrations on several important issues, including the alleged theft at Ram Mandir, but had not received the necessary approval.

He questioned how the ruling party was able to organise a rally against the opposition when Congress had allegedly been denied permission for its own protest programmes.

Kalwar also accused the BJP of misleading the public instead of addressing pressing concerns and urged the ruling party to prioritise development.

The Congress leaders’ remarks came after the BJP organised a rally in Silchar on Wednesday. The opposition party raised questions about the ruling party’s position on democratic protests, the Election Commission and the administration’s handling of permission for political programmes.