Rajnath Singh Accuses Congress of Regime Change Plot
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has accused the Congress and its allies of attempting to bring about a change of government through violence, alleging that recent protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were inspired by political unrest in Bangladesh. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow on October 16, 2026, Singh claimed the demonstrations were aimed at destabilising democratic institutions rather than addressing electoral concerns.
Rajnath Singh Accuses Congress of Bangladesh-Style Regime Change
Singh alleged that Congress was encouraging political unrest to remove the BJP-led government from power.
He maintained that the protests were not genuinely directed against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) or Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Instead, the Defence Minister described them as an attempt to undermine constitutional institutions and pursue political change through street mobilisation.
His allegations have not been independently established.
Rajnath Singh Targets Rahul Gandhi Over Anti-CEC Protests
Singh accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of pursuing disruptive politics and warned that democratic rights did not extend to violence.
He also alleged that opposition parties were using young protesters to advance their political objectives.
The remarks followed demonstrations in Delhi organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and supported by opposition groups demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Protest organisers have accused the Election Commission of irregularities in electoral roll revisions. The Election Commission has rejected allegations of partisan conduct.
Defence Minister Questions Congress’s Election Commission Record
Singh also criticised Congress’s historical handling of the Election Commission, alleging political interference in appointments and institutional decisions.
He referred to changes introduced to the Election Commission’s structure in 1993 and questioned the Congress’s record concerning former Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla.
The controversy comes as the Supreme Court examines petitions challenging aspects of the SIR process.
The political confrontation has intensified disagreements over electoral transparency, the independence of constitutional institutions and the conduct of public demonstrations.
