Agartala, Oct 28 : AICC observer for Tripura Deepak Mishra on Wednesday accused the Election Commission of favouring the BJP and alleged irregularities in elections, saying the Congress had launched its ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ campaign to protect the Constitution and democracy.
Mishra, who arrived at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport here to participate in the Congress agitation against the alleged misuse of electoral processes, said the campaign was aimed at preventing what the party describes as “vote theft” and safeguarding the country’s constitutional framework.
“If the Constitution of this country is to be protected, it is essential to stop vote theft. Democracy is the strength of India, and it is the Constitution that gives it strength,” he told reporters.
Alleging that electoral irregularities were benefiting the BJP, Mishra accused the Election Commission of acting in the ruling party’s favour. These were allegations made by the Congress leader and were not independently established in his remarks.
He also questioned the BJP’s responses to the Congress’s criticism of the poll panel, arguing that the ruling party’s defence of the Chief Election Commission Ganesh Kumar demonstrated an alleged understanding between the two.
“When the Congress raises questions about the Election Commission, why do BJP leaders and spokespersons respond? This itself shows their relationship,” he said.
The Congress has been campaigning against alleged electoral irregularities, including issues surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and has raised concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission.
Mishra said he had come to Tripura as part of the party’s campaign, which he described as an effort to remove what he termed a major stain on the country’s democratic system.
He also defended Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his controversial remarks involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that Kharge’s reference was directed at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which the Congress leader described as the BJP’s ideological parent.
Mishra said Kharge had reacted after some people allegedly disrupted his speech and raised slogans in support of Modi. He argued that the remarks should be understood in that context.
Referring to criticism of Kharge’s language, Mishra cited controversial statements made by BJP leaders in the past, including remarks about a “Rs 50-crore girlfriend”, arguing that the Congress president’s comments should be viewed against the backdrop of such political exchanges.
The Congress leader’s remarks came amid the party’s continuing confrontation with the BJP over the Election Commission, electoral-roll revision and allegations of electoral malpractice.
The BJP and the Election Commission’s responses to Mishra’s specific allegations were not available at the time of filing this report.
