In Chitradurga, Karnataka, senior BJP leader R Ashoka addressed reporters on Wednesday, accusing the Congress of undermining constitutional bodies by targeting the Election Commission. He said that a Chief Election Commissioner cannot be removed through street protests and that the party only accepts the institution when election results are favorable.
Ashoka referred to the agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi and elsewhere, arguing that Congress’s criticism of the EC over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is a form of protest that contradicts democratic principles. He stressed that the Election Commission is an independent body governed by established procedures and that “sitting on the road and shouting and screaming will not serve any purpose”.
The BJP leader also criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for selectively questioning institutions such as the EC, CBI, ED and the judiciary. He expressed confidence that the NDA would win the 2028 Assembly elections, saying the government’s return is “equally certain” to the rising sun and moon. Ashoka demanded an apology from Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar over remarks he said were directed at seers, and challenged the CM to make similar comments about leaders of other faiths.
Shivakumar clarified that his comments were aimed at voters, not Swamis, and that he respects all seers and scholars. Ashoka rejected the CM’s claim that the media had distorted his words, insisting that Shivakumar should apologize for the remarks he made about seers.
