Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its performance in the recent assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam, asserting that it was the Election Commission (EC) that emerged victorious, not the ruling party at the Centre.
Kharge's Remarks on Election Results
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge said, "The BJP did not win in West Bengal and Assam. It was the Election Commission that won. The EC conducted the elections in a free and fair manner, and the results reflect the will of the people."
The minister's comments come amid the BJP's claims of expanding its footprint in the eastern and northeastern states. The party managed to retain power in Assam but fell short of its target in West Bengal, where the Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured a third consecutive term.
BJP's Performance in West Bengal and Assam
In West Bengal, the BJP increased its seat tally from three in 2016 to 77 in 2021, but the TMC won 213 seats, comfortably crossing the majority mark. In Assam, the BJP-led alliance won 75 seats, securing a second term in office.
Kharge, a senior Congress leader, alleged that the BJP had tried to influence the elections through central agencies and misuse of government machinery. "Despite all their efforts, they could not win in West Bengal. The people of Bengal rejected their divisive politics," he added.
Congress's Stance on Electoral Integrity
The Karnataka minister also praised the Election Commission for conducting the polls despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. "The EC deserves credit for ensuring a level playing field. The BJP's claims of winning are baseless," Kharge said.
His remarks reflect the Congress party's broader criticism of the BJP's electoral strategies. The Congress has repeatedly accused the BJP of undermining democratic institutions and using state machinery for partisan gains.
