Congress faces defeat under both ballot and EVM systems, says Bihar CM

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary addresses people during the Padyatra under the 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' campaign from Kargil Chowk at Gandhi Maidan to the statue of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan in Patna on October 28, 2026 | Photo Credit: ANI Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) accused the Congress of undermining democracy by opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and said the party had repeatedly lost elections, whether conducted using ballot papers or Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Leading the “pad yatra” (foot march) titled Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao (Save Democracy, End Anarchy) in Patna, CM Choudhary said people would thwart attempts by the Opposition, led by the Congress, to dismantle the country’s democratic and constitutional order.He walked from Kargil Chowk to the J.P. roundabout at Gandhi Maidan, where he paid tribute to Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan by garlanding his statue.Addressing the gathering at Kargil Chowk, Mr. Choudhary said, “Those who once made a mockery of democracy, imposed an Emergency on the nation, and stripped citizens of their fundamental rights are now the very ones loudly trying to become the champion of democracy.”He said that if the Congress recalled the actions of its predecessors, it would not even have the courage to face the public. He asserted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is advancing on the path of development, and democracy has been strengthened.Mr. Choudhary said that if Mr. Modi delivered results, voters would naturally support him. He added that the BJP has reached its current position through struggle, remained connected to the people and worked to resolve their problems.“The Congress party, meanwhile, has resorted to using abusive language. Unable to win elections, they have resorted to such tactics. Using derogatory language against the late parents of the Prime Minister is unacceptable in a civilised society,” Mr. Choudhary said.He said the people would give a befitting response to anyone who played games with democracy. He asserted that the BJP is committed to upholding democracy.Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi, State Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and party workers attended the march. Carrying BJP flags and placards bearing slogans, party workers raised slogans against the Opposition.“Vote theft”Mr. Saraogi said that Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), were attempting to spread confusion across the country by alleging “vote theft”.Referring to the SIR of electoral rolls, he said the exercise removed the names of deceased and duplicate voters. He alleged that the Opposition was not concerned about democracy, but was upset over the dismantling of a system that, he claimed, facilitated fraudulent voting.He said Opposition parties did not question the democratic process when their candidates won elections but blamed EVMs and the electoral process after defeat.Mr. Saraogi said the first phase of the campaign would feature pad yatras across 10 divisional headquarters in Bihar. BJP national president Nitin Nabin would also attend a march in Bhagalpur on November 2, while Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma would attend one in Purnia on November 4.In the second phase, the BJP plans to organise public outreach programmes at the district and Assembly constituency levels. Published - October 28, 2026 07:49 pm IST