Hyderabad: Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy launched a Kishan Reddy Congress attack over allegations concerning EVMs and constitutional institutions. Speaking at the BJP state office in Hyderabad on Sunday, he said the BJP would win people’s hearts rather than steal votes.
Reddy accused the Congress of questioning EVMs and constitutional institutions after electoral defeats. He said the party claimed credit after victories but blamed the Election Commission and EVMs when results went against it.
Recent reports also show Reddy has criticised Rahul Gandhi’s allegations concerning the Election Commission and the electoral process. He has argued that Congress leaders have taken different positions on the poll panel depending on election outcomes.
Addressing Rahul Gandhi, Reddy said the BJP did not steal votes. He argued that the Election Commission’s responsibility was not to ensure a Congress victory or make Gandhi the Prime Minister.
The Union Minister also criticised Congress allegations against the Election Commission. He cited Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana, where Congress has formed governments, while arguing that the party had praised the poll process in those states.
Reddy also referred to the Special Intensive Revision process in Kerala. He said Congress leaders had praised the Election Commission after the exercise removed bogus votes, but questioned its functioning when the BJP won elsewhere.
He alleged that such positions showed political immaturity and a double standard. Reddy further said the Congress had no moral right to speak about the Constitution.
The minister recalled the Emergency imposed in 1975 and accused the Congress of restricting press freedom and civil rights. He also referred to opposition leaders being imprisoned during that period.
Reddy cited a 2009 episode involving constitutional Election Commissioners. He alleged that the Congress sought their removal because they did not comply with the party’s wishes.
Kishan Reddy Congress attack targets Rahul Gandhi
Meanwhile, Reddy criticised Rahul Gandhi for questioning several institutions and national bodies. He alleged that Gandhi had raised doubts about the Army Chief, Air Force, surgical strikes, NSA Ajit Doval and the Lok Sabha Speaker.
He also listed the Chief Justice of India, Enforcement Directorate, Central Bureau of Investigation, Intelligence Bureau and media houses among the institutions he said Gandhi had targeted. Reddy further criticised Gandhi’s remarks on Parliament and the GST system.
The minister said Gandhi’s remarks on foreign platforms damaged India’s reputation. He accused the Congress leader of believing that his family should continue to rule the country.
Reddy also criticised Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy over his reported remarks concerning the Sonia Gandhi family. He alleged that the Chief Minister was giving greater attention to the Gandhi family than to issues affecting Telangana’s people.
The minister said the Congress was attempting to undermine public institutions. He also questioned the party’s criticism of democratic institutions and its approach to political protests in Telangana.
Reddy defended the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the government remained connected with people and had improved lives through poverty alleviation, infrastructure development and free ration schemes.
He also cited road and airport construction and support for women’s groups as examples of the government’s work. Reddy maintained that the NDA government would continue its governance agenda while remaining connected with the public.
The latest exchange adds to the ongoing political dispute between the BJP and Congress over the Election Commission, EVMs and allegations concerning the electoral process.