Newdelhi,Oct 12, 2026 16:26 ISTJD(U) on Monday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his attacks on the Election Commission, saying that simply abusing the poll panel is not a strategy to win elections. The remarks followed a escalation in criticism against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, during which opposition figures within the INDIA bloc marched toward the Supreme Court to submit a petition concerning alleged vote theft.
Responding to these actions, Janata Dal (United) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad stated that the opposition must recognise the boundaries separating freedom of expression, valid dissent, and outright anarchy. He emphasised that true electoral victory is achieved by engaging directly with the electorate and performing ground-level work rather than attacking regulatory institutions.
Prasad remarked that the Congress party, which historically helped secure India's independence, has experienced a steady contraction over the past several decades. He pointed out that under Gandhi's leadership, the party has repeatedly failed to reach the 100-seat milestone across three consecutive Lok Sabha cycles, resulting in a significantly diminished footprint across multiple states.
Furthermore, the JD(U) spokesperson noted that Congress continues to encounter governance challenges even in regions where it holds power, pointing to internal friction in states like Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka. He added that fierce infighting plagues the organisation in opposition-held states such as Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
Prasad concluded by arguing that internal factionalism and strategic missteps have severely weakened the national party. He asserted that targeting the Election Commission is merely an attempt to deflect public attention away from these deep-seated organisational struggles and ongoing electoral setbacks.