Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal has strongly criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him and his party of trying to defame India’s constitutional institutions, particularly the Election Commission of India. The remarks came during a press interaction on Friday where Meghwal addressed concerns over what he termed a dangerous and deliberate political campaign by the Congress party.

The senior BJP leader and Cabinet Minister said that Congress has developed a pattern of attacking institutions whenever it is out of power or facing electoral challenges, and that these attacks not only undermine public faith in the democratic setup but also reflect the party’s disregard for institutional independence.

Meghwal invokes precedent of Balram Jakhar

To strengthen his argument, Meghwal invoked the precedent set by former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar, a senior Congress leader, who once rejected a demand to hold a parliamentary discussion on the functioning of the Election Commission. Meghwal said that Jakhar had maintained that the Election Commission was conceived as an independent body under the Constitution and that the legislature must not interfere with its working.

This, Meghwal said, is a historical example of institutional integrity, and yet the same party today is actively questioning and maligning the very same institution it once protected.

This double standard must be exposed. Congress is using Rahul Gandhi as a front to challenge the credibility of institutions that have served the Republic faithfully for decades, Meghwal stated.

The Election Commission under fire

The Election Commission has come under repeated criticism from Congress and several opposition parties in recent months, with allegations ranging from bias in decision making to preferential treatment to the ruling party.

Rahul Gandhi, during his recent speeches in Bihar and Maharashtra, made statements suggesting that the Election Commission was acting as an extended arm of the government, especially in the way it scheduled elections, permitted campaign rallies, and delayed action on electoral violations by BJP leaders.

These allegations were repeated in Parliament debates and press conferences, with other opposition figures joining the chorus. However, the Election Commission has denied all such claims, stating that it follows constitutional procedures and legal frameworks in every decision.

Meghwal, while referring to these allegations, said that the Congress party has made it a political strategy to pre-empt defeat by raising doubts on the referee. This is not the behaviour of a responsible opposition but of a group that refuses to accept the will of the people, he said.

Repeating the emergency mindset

Meghwal further alleged that Congress has not moved away from its Emergency-era mindset, where institutional control and centralisation of power were the norm. He added that even today, when they are not in government, they try to discredit the very institutions that uphold India’s democracy.

He said that the Supreme Court, the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and now the Election Commission have all faced systematic attacks by Congress leaders whenever investigations or decisions go against them.

This attitude is a threat to democracy, not a defence of it. Democracy survives when institutions are allowed to function independently and are respected by all parties, win or lose, said Meghwal.

BJP’s counter offensive

The BJP has launched a multi-pronged counter offensive against the Congress-led criticism of the Election Commission. Multiple senior leaders including Union Minister Piyush Goyal, BJP President JP Nadda, and Minister of State Jitendra Singh have echoed Meghwal’s sentiments, accusing the opposition of trying to delegitimise upcoming elections in advance.

The ruling party maintains that the EC has conducted hundreds of successful elections, including during the pandemic, and that international observers often praise India’s electoral infrastructure. They view the current campaign against the EC as a smokescreen to cover up internal failures of the opposition.

They are unable to connect with the people, their leadership is confused, their alliance is collapsing, and now they want to blame someone else for their inevitable defeat, Goyal said at a press briefing.

Role of institutions in Indian democracy

The controversy has once again brought into focus the role of constitutional institutions in preserving the balance of power in India’s democracy. The Election Commission, created under Article 324 of the Constitution, is entrusted with conducting free and fair elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and state legislative assemblies.

Over the years, the EC has played a pivotal role in ensuring peaceful transitions of power, even during periods of political turmoil. Its decisions, although often contested, have mostly been upheld by courts and respected by governments of all ideologies.

However, political parties—especially when in opposition—have frequently raised concerns about the neutrality of institutions. These concerns, while not new, have grown louder in recent years as the political discourse has become more polarised.

Congress response

Responding to Meghwal’s accusations, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said that the party is not targeting institutions but demanding accountability. He said that questions about the functioning of the EC are based on facts, including its delays in ruling on disqualification petitions, selective application of the Model Code of Conduct, and inaction against hate speeches by BJP leaders.

Khera said, When institutions stop acting in a neutral manner, it is our duty as citizens and political representatives to ask questions. That is not defamation, it is democracy.

Congress leaders have also said that they respect the autonomy of the Election Commission but that autonomy must be demonstrated, not just claimed.

Role of the judiciary

The Supreme Court of India has in the past heard several petitions related to the autonomy and functioning of the Election Commission. In a landmark 2023 ruling, the apex court had said that the appointment process of Election Commissioners must be transparent and that a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India must participate in appointments.

This decision was seen as a significant step toward strengthening the independence of the EC, and the court’s observations at the time were welcomed across the political spectrum.

However, recent events have reignited the debate over whether the EC’s actions reflect that independence in spirit and in practice. Many civil society groups have called for greater scrutiny, transparency, and legal reforms in how the EC functions, especially in areas like electoral bonds, campaign finance, and media regulation.

Public trust and upcoming elections

With state elections in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand scheduled over the coming months, and the 2026 general elections only 9 months away, the functioning and credibility of the Election Commission will remain under the spotlight.

Union Minister Meghwal concluded by saying that attacking institutions is not the way to build public trust or win votes. If the Congress party continues on this path, it will only alienate voters further. The people of India have faith in their institutions and will not support those who try to tear them down for politics, he said.

He reiterated that respect for constitutional bodies must be upheld by all parties, and said the BJP would never tolerate attempts to erode faith in democracy.

Conclusion

The war of words between the BJP and Congress over the credibility of constitutional institutions, especially the Election Commission, marks a serious political flashpoint in the run-up to India’s crucial elections. While Congress argues it is asking legitimate questions, the BJP believes these are calculated attacks designed to preempt defeat.

At the heart of the matter lies the public’s trust in democracy and the institutions that uphold it. As both sides continue to spar, it will be the people of India who ultimately judge the intentions and actions of their leaders. Until then, the call for balance, transparency, and respect for the Constitution remains more important than ever.

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