Congress MP Criticizes Election Commission for Bias Towards BJP
Congress MP Sukdev Bhagat has sharply criticized the Election Commission of India, alleging bias towards the BJP following the announcement of election dates shortly after Prime Minister Modi's project inaugurations in West Bengal. He claims the government is strategically delaying elections to benefit the BJP, raising concerns about public trust. The Election Commission has scheduled voting for four states and Puducherry, with significant gaps between voting dates. Bhagat's comments highlight growing tensions in the political landscape as the elections approach.
| Mar 16, 2026, 11:56 IST
Congress MP's Strong Critique of Election Commission
On Monday, Congress MP Sukdev Bhagat launched a fierce attack on the Election Commission of India, accusing it of showing undue favoritism towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He pointed out that the election schedule was announced just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled development projects in West Bengal. Bhagat claimed that the Election Commission is operating in a highly biased manner, stating, 'It is blatant fraud when Prime Minister Modi inaugurates projects in West Bengal, and the very next day, the election dates are declared.'
Allegations Against the Central Government
In a conversation with a news media outlet, he accused the central government of orchestrating events strategically. He remarked that while the government promotes the idea of 'One Nation, One Election,' the voting dates and results for the upcoming assembly elections in four states are staggered significantly. 'Doesn't this seem like a planned approach? The longer the delay, the more favorable the outcome for the BJP. Historical records support this observation. These factors contribute to the public's distrust in them,' he added.
Election Schedule Announced for Multiple States
These comments followed the Election Commission's announcement of the election schedule for four states—West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Assam—along with the Union Territory of Puducherry. According to the schedule, voting in West Bengal will occur in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Kerala and Assam will have voting on April 9 in a single phase, while Tamil Nadu will vote on April 23. Puducherry will also conduct its elections on April 9. The counting of votes for all states and Puducherry is set for May 4. The current assemblies' terms are expiring on different dates: May 7 for West Bengal, May 10 for Tamil Nadu, May 20 for Assam, May 23 for Kerala, and June 15 for Puducherry.