Rajnath Singh Accuses Congress of Seeking Bangladesh-Like Regime Change Over Anti-CEC Protests

October 16, 2026

Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday launched a fresh attack on the Congress over the protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Speaking in Lucknow, Singh alleged that the Congress-led INDIA bloc wanted a change of government in India similar to the uprising that brought down Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh in 2024.

Singh was speaking at a press conference alongside Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak. He referred to remarks by All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora about the Bangladesh protests and said the opposition was using the issue to mobilise young people against the government.

The Defence Minister accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his allies of undermining democratic institutions. He argued that protests should not be used to create disorder or damage the credibility of constitutional bodies.

“Democracy is not a license to spread chaos, undermine the credibility of constitutional institutions, or obstruct India’s development journey,” Singh said.

He also brought up the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the Congress’s political decisions in 1990. Singh described the Emergency as an “unforgivable offence” and accused the party of making repeated political compromises.

Rajnath Singh Questions Congress’ Stand on Election Commission

Singh also questioned the Congress’s criticism of the Election Commission, referring to changes made to the poll body’s structure in 1993, when two Election Commissioners were appointed.

He cited a letter written by former Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami to the President recommending the removal of Election Commissioner Navin Chawla. The letter raised allegations that Chawla had shared sensitive information with Congress leaders. Singh alleged that the Congress later protected Chawla and supported his appointment as Chief Election Commissioner.

He questioned the party’s current claims that votes had been stolen, pointing to what he described as inconsistencies in its past approach to the Election Commission.

The remarks come amid a political row over the SIR exercise and protests targeting CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Opposition parties have raised concerns over the revision of electoral rolls, while Singh accused the Congress-led alliance of turning the dispute into a campaign against constitutional institutions.