Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge declares all current elections illegal, urges nationwide agitation
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of running illegal elections and called for the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Speaking to reporters, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the entire country is governed by illegal elections, naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and all chief ministers as unlawful office-holders. He blamed the misuse of electronic voting machines and a flawed electoral-roll revision for undermining democracy, accusing BJP and RSS cadres of deleting votes in villages. Kharge cited a recent one outlet's report that two election commissioners had repeatedly written to the chief election commissioner without effect.
He warned that recent changes to the election-commission law have stripped the chief justice and opposition leader from a key oversight committee, consolidating power with the ruling party. To protest, he announced an all-party meeting and a series of agitations, starting with a large rally in New Delhi on October 6, and promised further protests every few days across states.
Why it matters
The statement challenges the legitimacy of India's current government and could intensify political unrest.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTBoth camps report Kharge’s claim that current elections are illegal, but centrist coverage focuses on his accusations of EVM misuse and institutional changes, while right-leaning coverage stresses his demand to dissolve legislatures and switch to ballot-paper voting.
CENTER
Centrist coverage presents Kharge’s allegations about illegal elections and details his accusations against the ruling party and changes to election oversight.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage highlights Kharge’s call to dissolve all legislatures and adopt ballot-paper voting, portraying his stance as a push for a radical electoral overhaul.
The right emphasises
- the entire electoral system is compromised
- demands dissolution of all legislatures and fresh ballot-paper polls
- agitations and large protests planned across the country
How this story developed
- Sep 23 Election Commission denies internal dissent, says all decisions were unanimous
- Sep 23 Congress senior filed a petition urging the Supreme Court to intervene and summon the Election Commission members.
- Sep 25 A Supreme Court petition seeking criminal prosecution of the chief election commissioner was filed.
- Sep 26 The Election Commission announced that Booth Level Officers will visit voters flagged in the SIR to collect supporting documents, with online hearings and additional help desks to be established.
- Sep 27 Opposition parties announced nationwide rallies and a parliamentary motion to force the CEC’s resignation following the removal of over 130 million voter names.
- Oct 2 The Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition questioning the Election Commission’s decision‑making next week.
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