Ashok calls on the Congress to face fresh polls in the states it rules if it does not trust the EC

Leader of Opposition R. Ashok during a press meet at BJP state office in Bengaluru on Sunday. | Photo credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok on Sunday accused the Congress of following double standards in questioning the election process, including EVMs, whenever it loses, and called on the Congress to annul the state assembly elections where it won, including Karnataka, and face fresh polls.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Mr. Ashok claimed that the Congress was disillusioned at not winning the parliamentary polls again. “That is why Rahul Gandhi is speaking against constitutional institutions like the Supreme Court, Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation. Now, for political gains, Congress leaders are targeting the Election Commission,” he said.

“Uttar Pradesh elections are due in February and it is certain that Congress will not win a single seat there. Akhilesh Yadav has refused to associate with them. That is why they are now attacking the Election Commission itself. It is like seeking anticipatory bail,” he said.

“If there is a mistake in the special intensive review, they should file a case in the Supreme Court, but they will not go to court because there is no document to prove that there is a mistake. During Nehru and Indira Gandhi’s time, people who worked in their homes and their relatives were appointed as election commissioners,” he said.

He took exception to Congress leaders going against the court’s direction to appoint a Special Investigation Team to probe irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission, calling it the extent to which Congress leaders would oppose reforms for political gains.

Published – 27 Sep 2026 21:55 IST