BJP hits out at Congress, asks main Opposition to introspect

New Delhi: BJP on Tuesday attacked Congress for targeting ECI, with party leader Smriti Irani stating that instead of introspecting its defeats, Congress has been attacking ECI.

"I am astonished that today the Congress leadership cited the Lahore session. Since Congress wishes to turn the pages of history, it should also turn to the page that reveals the party's origins, specifically how AO Hume shared a suggestion with the Viceroy that a political organisation, Congress, should be formed to safeguard the British Empire," Irani said at a press conference at the BJP headquarters here. "The very Congress that was established to protect the British Empire is today attacking the Election Commission of India by citing the Lahore Session. There could be nothing more shameful."

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Irani reiterated that ECI strengthens India's democratic framework and embodies the dignity of Indian democracy, a system admired and respected by many nations.

"Congress is aggrieved that the people of India do not support it within this democratic framework. Consequently, instead of introspecting on its defeat, it is attacking the Election Commission of India," she said.

She asked whether in states like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Karnataka, where BJP is not in power, the Congress leadership has given ECI a clean chit, or whether it is questioning the commission there as well.

Talking about Congress' demand to restore deleted voters on the electoral list, she said, "If a name appears as a duplicate on the electoral roll, or if the name of a deceased person appears on the electoral roll, why does Congress want it restored? Why does Congress want duplicate names to remain on the electoral roll?