Kumaraswamy slams Congress protests against Election Commission as 'attack on Constitution'
Synopsis
Kumaraswamy came out swinging in Bengaluru, framing the Congress’s nationwide Election Commission protest as a constitutional assault driven by electoral desperation. His twin offensive — defending the ECI while attacking the Karnataka government over KPSC irregularities, a meagre Rs 2,500 drought relief, and an ongoing SIT probe — signals the NDA’s coordinated pre-election strategy in the state.
Key Takeaways
Kumaraswamy questioned Congress-led nationwide protests against the Election Commission of India in Bengaluru on 26 September 2026 .
Kumaraswamy defended the ECI, citing its role in sustaining Indian democracy for 78 years .
He accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of encouraging attacks on constitutional institutions to mislead voters.
Kumaraswamy raised concerns over alleged KPSC recruitment irregularities and alleged obstruction of the Karnataka High Court -ordered SIT probe.
He criticised the state government’s Rs 2,500 drought relief for farmers as grossly inadequate.
He warned that incidents like the disappearance of KRIDL AEE Parvez Dharwad could become more frequent if employee grievances remain unaddressed.
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday, 26 September sharply questioned the Congress-led nationwide protests against the Election Commission of India (ECI), calling the agitation an unwarranted assault on a constitutional institution. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru ahead of an NDA coordination committee meeting on the upcoming Legislative Council elections, the Janata Dal (Secular) leader and Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel demanded to know the factual basis for targeting the poll panel.
Kumaraswamy Defends the Election Commission
Kumaraswamy invoked 78 years of Indian democracy to make his case. “Why are they protesting? The Election Commission is a responsible institution. If democracy has survived in this country for 78 years, the Election Commission has played a responsible role in it,” he said.
Referring to media reports of differences of opinion between the Chief Election Commissioner and the two Election Commissioners, Kumaraswamy cautioned against portraying internal disagreements as serious wrongdoing without first establishing the facts. He added that the Commission itself should explain any such differences and place the facts before the public to protect its own credibility.
Congress Accused of Targeting Constitutional Bodies
Kumaraswamy accused the Indian National Congress (Congress) of repeatedly attacking constitutional institutions and attempting to blame such bodies for its own political failures. He further alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was actively encouraging these actions to mislead the public. The remarks come amid the Congress’s nationwide protests, reportedly linked to concerns over reported internal disagreements within the ECI.
KPSC Irregularities and the SIT Probe
The Minister pivoted to alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), questioning why those vocal on the NEET question paper leak were silent about recruitment irregularities in Karnataka. He raised specific concerns about the alleged irregular recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers and veterinary officers through the KPSC, and alleged the practice of selling government jobs for money.
On the Karnataka High Court-ordered Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into KPSC irregularities, Kumaraswamy alleged that the state government was obstructing the investigation by refusing to accept certain officers appointed for the probe. He claimed an officer had been transferred, alleging the government preferred officials likely to follow its directives over independent, honest ones.
Drought Relief and Government Accountability
Kumaraswamy also turned his fire on the state government’s announced Rs 2,500 drought relief for farmers. “Is a farmer a beggar? You have brought farmers down to this level,” he said, questioning the adequacy of the relief. He also challenged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s self-described farming roots, asking whether a genuine farmer’s son would sanction such a meagre package.
Separately, reacting to the disappearance of KRIDL Assistant Executive Engineer Parvez Dharwad, Kumaraswamy warned of a broader pattern. “Such incidents are not going to be limited to one. Going forward, such incidents will start happening every day,” he cautioned, urging the state government to address the concerns of its employees and contractors.
Political Context
The remarks represent the NDA’s sharpest public pushback yet against the Congress-led protest campaign targeting the ECI. Notably, the attack was two-pronged: Kumaraswamy simultaneously defended the constitutional poll body and went on the offensive over what he described as a ‘corrupt’ Congress administration in Karnataka. With Legislative Council elections approaching, the political temperature in the state is unlikely to cool in the coming weeks.
Point of View
The NDA is attempting to shift the narrative from any genuine questions about the poll body’s internal functioning — which the media has flagged — to a larger ‘Congress versus Constitution’ frame. The simultaneous invocation of KPSC irregularities, the Rs 2,500 drought relief, and the KRIDL disappearance suggests a coordinated, multi-front attack rather than a single-issue response. What this sidesteps, however, is the substantive question: if reported differences within the ECI do exist, who should hold that institution accountable — and through what mechanism?
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did H.D. Kumaraswamy criticise the Congress protests against the Election Commission?
Kumaraswamy argued that the Election Commission is a constitutional institution that has helped sustain Indian democracy for 78 years and should not be targeted without establishing facts. He accused the Congress of repeatedly attacking constitutional bodies to deflect from its own failures.
What did Kumaraswamy say about internal differences in the Election Commission?
Kumaraswamy acknowledged media reports of differences between the Chief Election Commissioner and the two Election Commissioners but said such disagreements should not be portrayed as major wrongdoing without establishing facts. He called on the ECI to publicly explain any differences to protect its credibility.
What are the KPSC irregularities Kumaraswamy referred to?
Kumaraswamy alleged irregular recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers and veterinary officers through the Karnataka Public Service Commission, and claimed jobs were allegedly sold for money. He noted that the Karnataka High Court has ordered an SIT probe into these irregularities.
What did Kumaraswamy say about the SIT probe into KPSC?
Kumaraswamy alleged that the Karnataka state government was obstructing the High Court-ordered SIT investigation by refusing to accept certain officers appointed for the probe, and claimed that at least one investigating officer had been transferred.
Why did Kumaraswamy criticise the Rs 2,500 drought relief for Karnataka farmers?
Kumaraswamy called the relief amount grossly inadequate, saying it reduced farmers to the level of beggars. He directly challenged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, questioning how someone from a farming background could sanction such a small relief package.
