Congress Questions BJP's Presidential Process, Targets Election Commissioner
The Congress party launched sharp criticism on Tuesday following Nitin Nabin's formal assumption of duties as the BJP's new national president. The appointment occurred without any leadership contest, prompting opposition leaders to question the democratic nature of the process.
"Where Is the Election?" Congress Leader Asks
Pawan Khera, who heads the Congress media and publicity department, expressed strong skepticism during a press conference. He pointedly asked where the actual election took place in this presidential selection.
"You announce the president first and then say there will be an election," Khera stated. "Then there is no election. Why do you even call it an election?"
The Congress leader did not stop there. He turned his attention to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, whom opposition parties have repeatedly criticized recently. Khera suggested with sarcasm that Kumar might want to resign in protest.
"Gyanesh Kumar wants to resign in protest," Khera quipped. "He has no role. He can't even influence anything. He can't even manipulate anything."
Responding to PM Modi's "Boss" Remark
Khera also addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent comment describing Nitin Nabin as his "boss" in party matters. The Congress leader dismissed such statements as political theater.
"They can keep playing games among themselves," Khera remarked. "Sometimes Mohan Bhagwat becomes someone's boss. Sometimes Modi becomes someone's boss. We don't care about the tears of seers and are playing boss-boss."
He extended the criticism with a cultural reference, asking if a "Bigg Boss" game was being played in political circles. Khera specifically mentioned the controversy involving Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati being prevented from taking a holy dip in the Ganga at Prayagraj.
Congress Contrasts Its Own Democratic Process
Another Congress leader, Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore, highlighted how his party conducted its presidential election differently. He recalled the 2022 contest between Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor.
"We hold elections in the Congress," Tagore emphasized. "Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor were candidates. Voting took place. This is called democracy."
Tagore contrasted this with what he described as authoritarian tendencies in the BJP. He claimed that Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah want to take over all worker roles.
"BJP is an authoritative party and moving toward dictatorship," Tagore asserted. "Even RSS is stunned to see this."
Allied Parties Join the Criticism
Congress ally Rashtriya Janata Dal also voiced disapproval of the BJP's presidential process. RJD MP Manoj Jha questioned whether the appointment could genuinely be called an election.
"Don't call it an election," Jha stated. "An election is only called when there are two or more choices."
Despite his criticism, Jha extended best wishes to Nitin Nabin on becoming national president.
About the New BJP President
Nitin Nabin represents a significant generational shift for the BJP. Born in 1980, the same year the party was founded, he becomes both the youngest and the twelfth president in BJP history.
Hailing from Bihar, Nabin received clear signals of his eventual elevation when appointed national working president in December last year. He now succeeds Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who served as BJP chief since January 2020 following Amit Shah's tenure.
The appointment without contest continues to generate political debate about internal party democracy and leadership selection processes in India's major political organizations.
