Karnataka BJP leader challenges Congress to hold fresh Assembly elections
Karnataka Opposition leader R. Ashok has challenged the Congress to dissolve Assemblies in States it governs and seek fresh mandates if it doubts the election process. He accused Congress leaders of using concerns over electronic voting and voter-list revision selectively, while the source material contains no Congress response.
Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok has challenged the Congress to cancel elections in States where it governs and seek fresh mandates if it does not trust the election process. Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru on Sunday, Ashok accused the Congress of applying double standards by questioning electronic voting machines and electoral institutions when it loses elections.
Karnataka is among the States he cited as being governed by the Congress. Ashok said the Congress was concerned that it would not win future parliamentary elections and was therefore targeting constitutional institutions. He named Rahul Gandhi and referred to criticism of the Supreme Court, the Directorate of Enforcement, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Election Commission.
He also linked the Opposition’s criticism to the upcoming Uttar Pradesh election, which he said was due in February. Ashok alleged that the Congress was attacking the Election Commission in anticipation of an electoral defeat and said its concerns about the special intensive revision should instead be taken to the Supreme Court if supported by evidence. Ashok said the Congress had not gone to court because, in his view, it lacked documents proving flaws in the exercise.
He also criticised Congress leaders for opposing a court-directed Special Investigation Team examining alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission. The BJP leader referred to appointments made during earlier Congress governments while criticising the party’s current position on election officials. He portrayed the Congress’s objections as politically motivated opposition to institutional reforms.
The source material does not include a response from the Congress, Gandhi or other Opposition parties to Ashok’s challenge and allegations. It also does not provide details about any formal proposal to hold fresh elections in the Congress-ruled States. Ashok’s remarks came amid a wider political dispute over the Election Commission and the special intensive revision exercise.
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