Congress leader Bhai Jagtap’s controversial comments comparing the Election Commission of India (ECI) to “PM Modi’s dog” have ignited a heated debate in Maharashtra’s political circles. The remark, made after the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s underwhelming performance in recent assembly polls, has drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and others, demanding action against Jagtap.
Jagtap accused the ECI of losing its neutrality, saying, “The Election Commission has become a puppet sitting outside Narendra Modi ji’s bungalow. It exists to safeguard democracy, not to serve an individual,” he stated, doubling down on his comments and refusing to apologize despite widespread backlash. He also questioned the credibility of electronic voting machines (EVMs), suggesting a need for their review, claiming the technology was initially credible but has since raised concerns.
The BJP, led by leaders like Kirit Somaiya, slammed Jagtap’s remarks as derogatory and unconstitutional. Somaiya filed complaints with both the Mumbai Police Commissioner and the ECI, urging immediate action. “Such humiliation of a constitutional body is intolerable. Congress is resorting to insults rather than addressing its electoral failures,” he said.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also criticized the Congress, saying, “This rhetoric undermines democratic institutions. Instead of introspection, Congress has chosen a path of baseless allegations.”
Political experts believe this incident could strain the Congress-BJP dynamics further and intensify the rhetoric in Maharashtra politics. While Congress remains steadfast in its criticism of EVMs and the poll process, the BJP has positioned this as another instance of the opposition’s “disrespect for democracy”.
This controversy underlines the rising polarization and challenges in safeguarding democratic discourse in India’s evolving political landscape.
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