Congress Challenges Modi on Ballot Paper Remark After MLC Losses

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent tweet about the 28‑seat MLC elections in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka prompted a sharp response from Congress. The party, which failed to win any seats, accused Modi of using a “ballot paper” remark to undermine the BJP’s electoral credibility.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera counter‑tacked on X, demanding that Modi commit to conducting all future Lok Sabha and assembly elections by ballot paper. He also called for the suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the restoration of 13.3 crore voters who were allegedly deleted illegally.

Khera’s post listed four demands:

1. Commit to ballot‑paper voting in all forthcoming Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.
2. Suspend SIR and reinstate the 13.3 crore deleted voters.
3. Terminate Gyanesh Gupta.
4. Repeal the law granting Gupta lifetime immunity.

BJP national president Nitin Nabin also criticized Congress, saying the party would struggle under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and that Modi would return to the Red Fort after the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.

The controversy follows the Congress’s worst performance in Karnataka, where the BJP‑JD(S) alliance swept all four council seats and the party lost its Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency.

The debate highlights ongoing opposition concerns about electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the need for greater electoral transparency.

To verify the claims, check the official X posts from the respective accounts and the Election Commission’s statements on SIR and voter roll updates.