Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accuses Congress of seeking Bangladesh‑style regime change

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday accused the Congress party and its allies of plotting a Bangladesh‑style regime change in India. Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow, he said democracy does not give anyone licence to create disorder or undermine constitutional institutions. Singh claimed the opposition is using the energy of youth as pawns to fuel political confrontation and spread anarchy instead of nation‑building. He referenced the 2024 Bangladesh uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government as an inspiration the Congress allegedly draws from. The minister linked these remarks to ongoing protests in Delhi, where opposition parties and civil society groups demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Singh warned that the protests are not about electoral reforms but an attempt to weaken independent institutions. He cited Supreme Court observations from October 15, urging Rahul Gandhi and his allies to respect law and avoid attempts to dismantle democratic bodies. Singh also recalled a 1993 episode when Congress made overnight changes in the Election Commission, elevating Naveen Chawla to chief despite a recommendation for removal, and noted that voter‑ID cards introduced later have kept Congress from forming a government on its own. He called the opposition’s approach “politics of disruption” and urged a shift toward dialogue and nation‑building.

Context

The clash reflects a broader tussle between the ruling BJP and the Congress over control of India’s electoral machinery, a recurring flashpoint in Indian politics.