SIR row: What's basis of Rahul Gandhi's allegations, asks BJP

New Delhi: BJP on Thursday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations against the Election Commission of India, questioning the basis of his claims and accusing him of relying on unsubstantiated media reports to question the poll panel's functioning.

BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said Gandhi had failed to provide evidence that decisions of ECI were not unanimous or that any of the three election commissioners had raised objections.

"Do you have even a single report indicating that a decision was not unanimous? No. Is there even one press conference where all three commissioners were not present? No. So, what is the basis for this claim?" Trivedi said.


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He said while media reports were part of public discourse, allegations could not be treated as established facts without responses from the persons concerned. "There is no quote from any election commissioner, no response, not even an off-the-record response cited. Then what is the basis for it?" he asked.

Trivedi also challenged the Congress and Opposition parties on appointment of chief electoral officers: "Tell us - in how many states is the leader of the Opposition involved in the selection process? In how many states is the chief justice involved? Yes or no?"

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The BJP spokesperson also sought to counter Gandhi's broader argument on electoral institutions and anti-incumbency, accusing him of lacking an understanding of Indian political history. He cited Congress' prolonged absence from power in several states, saying the party had not returned to power in Tamil Nadu since 1967, West Bengal since 1977, Bihar since 1990, Uttar Pradesh since 1989 and Odisha since 1999.

Trivedi said Congress' electoral fortunes had changed as elections became more transparent, with greater scrutiny through independent media and technology. "Ever since transparent elections have taken place, CCTV cameras have come in and independent media has arrived, they have started finding it difficult to come to power," he said.