BJP attacks Rahul Gandhi over EC criticism, SIR issue

New Delhi, Oct 1: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks against the Election Commission and the government in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Addressing a press conference, senior BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused Gandhi of spreading what he described as “lies and misinformation” and questioned his criticism of the Election Commission.

“Rahul Gandhi is neither a protector of secularism nor a protector of the Constitution. He is a protector of his own family interest,” Chandrasekhar said.

Reacting to Gandhi’s remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chandrasekhar alleged that the Congress leader’s politics was aimed at misleading people.

Chandrasekhar also referred to Gandhi’s earlier statements concerning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and alleged irregularities in elections. He claimed that Gandhi’s assertions about EVMs being systematically hacked had been proved wrong.

Gandhi, meanwhile, on Thursday questioned changes made to the online Form 6, which is used for fresh voter registration. He alleged that the form had been changed “illegally” and asked who in the Election Commission had directed Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to make the changes and who had authorised them.

Chandrasekhar rejected Gandhi’s allegations and accused him of following a pattern of making claims that, according to the BJP leader, were unsupported by facts.

The BJP leader also criticised Gandhi’s remarks on democracy and the Election Commission, arguing that the Congress has won elections during periods when Gandhi had raised similar concerns.

The allegations and counter-allegations come amid a political dispute over the electoral-roll revision process and the functioning of the Election Commission.