Ashok Challenges Congress to Face Fresh Polls in States It Rules
Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok challenged the Congress to cancel Assembly elections it has won, including Karnataka, and face fresh polls if it distrusts the election process.
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R. Ashok on Sunday challenged the Congress to cancel elections it has won in States it governs, including Karnataka, and face fresh polls if it does not believe in the election process.
Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Mr. Ashok accused the Congress of applying double standards by questioning the electoral process, including electronic voting machines, whenever it suffers a defeat. He said the party's criticism of the Election Commission was driven by political calculations rather than genuine concern.
Mr. Ashok alleged that the Congress had concluded it would not win the next Parliamentary elections. He claimed this was why its leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, were speaking against constitutional institutions such as the Supreme Court, the Directorate of Enforcement and the Central Bureau of Investigation. He added that Congress leaders were now targeting the Election Commission for political gain.
Referring to the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections, Mr. Ashok said it was certain the Congress would not win a single seat there, and noted that Akhilesh Yadav had declined to ally with the party. He described the Congress's attacks on the Election Commission at this stage as akin to seeking anticipatory bail.
On the Special Intensive Revision, Mr. Ashok said that if the Congress believed there was an error, it should file a case in the Supreme Court. He contended that the party was avoiding court because it had no document to prove a flaw. He also referred to the era of Nehru and Indira Gandhi, alleging that people who worked in their homes and their relatives were appointed as Election Commissioners.
Mr. Ashok further took exception to Congress leaders opposing a court's direction to appoint a Special Investigation Team to probe irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission. He said this showed the extent to which Congress leaders would go to oppose reforms for political gains.