If you wish to bring regime change, do so through constitutional means: BJP UP Chief Pankaj Chaudhary

In an interview with ANI, Chaudhary criticised the INDIA bloc over its allegations of electoral irregularities and claims that the Election Commission was acting at the BJP's behest. He said opposition parties questioned the electoral process when they lost elections but had no such objections when they won.

Accusing the opposition of attempting to discredit constitutional institutions and damage India's reputation, Chaudhary defended the Election Commission's role in the country's democratic system. He cited the 2024 elections and polls in Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh while arguing that electoral outcomes were accepted by opposition parties selectively.

The elections held in 2024 were conducted under the same Election Commission. Elections have also been held in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh. When they win, they have no problem with the process, but when they lose, they blame the EVMs and the Election Commission, he said.

On the SIR exercise, Chaudhary said the process was not being conducted for the first time and referred to discussions on the issue in Parliament, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah had responded to the matter in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

This is not the first time the SIR exercise is being conducted. The issue was discussed in Parliament, where Home Minister Amit Shah gave a detailed reply in the Lok Sabha for one-and-a-half hours and in the Rajya Sabha for an hour. However, people left the House instead of listening to the response, he said.

Referring to the opposition's protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, Chaudhary alleged that statements made during the movement had revealed its intention to bring about a regime change. He maintained that a change of government must come through elections rather than attempts to undermine constitutional institutions.

When asked how the opposition could win elections if it believed the BJP controlled the entire process and that the system was not functioning properly, Chaudhary said parties could seek legal recourse through the Supreme Court or bring about a change in government by winning elections and securing the people's mandate.

If they want regime change, it must happen through constitutional means. They must win elections and secure the people's mandate. India has witnessed 18 Lok Sabha elections, and the opposition has won six times. This itself shows that the system provides a constitutional way to change the government, Chaudhary said.

When asked about the SIR process in Uttar Pradesh that allegedly led to around 85,00090,000 forms being marked for automatic revision, and what steps would be taken to restore the names of eligible voters mistakenly removed from the electoral rolls, Chaudhary said that people whose names had been removed by mistake could submit Form 6 to seek their inclusion.

Chaudhary said the Election Commission was responsible for conducting the exercise, while the Uttar Pradesh government used the electoral system for elections. He maintained that eligible Indian citizens should be included in electoral rolls and that the names of ineligible individuals should be removed through the prescribed process.

The remarks come amid an intensifying political confrontation over the SIR of electoral rolls, with the Congress and INDIA bloc alleging irregularities and demanding accountability from the Election Commission.

After Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders led a March for Democracy towards the Supreme Court on October 12, the alliance is set to hold a Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao rally at Delhis Ramlila Maidan on November 1, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and action over alleged vote theft. (ANI)