NDA condemns VIP chief Mukesh Sahani's 'shoot CEC' remark as bid to incite violence
Synopsis
VIP chief Mukesh Sahani said he would shoot Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar if allowed one unpunished murder — and doubled down when challenged. The NDA, Bihar ministers, and even Congress have condemned the remark, with some demanding criminal proceedings. It is one of the most direct threats against a constitutional official in recent Indian political memory.
Key Takeaways
VIP chief Mukesh Sahani said he would shoot CEC Gyanesh Kumar if the law allowed one murder to go unpunished, made on 24 September 2026 .
NDA leaders from Bihar — including Ministers Ram Kripal Yadav , Santosh Kumar Suman , and Ashok Choudhary — condemned the remark and called for legal action.
BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash called the statement 'foolish and unconstitutional.' Congress MP Imran Masood also distanced his party from Sahani's remarks, saying violence has no place in their ideology.
The remarks followed a media report — denied by the ECI — that two Election Commissioners had objected to decisions taken without their knowledge.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Thursday, 24 September 2026, sharply condemned Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani over his inflammatory remarks against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, calling the statement a deliberate attempt to incite violence and an affront to constitutional norms. The remarks triggered a rare cross-party rebuke, with even Congress distancing itself from Sahani's language.
What Sahani Said
Earlier on Thursday, Sahani ignited a political firestorm by saying he would have shot CEC Gyanesh Kumar if the Constitution allowed one murder to go unpunished. In a subsequent defence, he told reporters: 'Certainly, I said that if the Constitution of the country allowed one murder to be forgiven, then I would shoot Gyanesh Kumar. Because at present, he is intent on destroying the country, a nation for which our ancestors were martyred... If anyone comes to destroy this country, we — as descendants of the brave Phoolan Devi — will not hesitate to take up arms.'
NDA Leaders Demand Legal Action
Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav was unsparing in his criticism. 'Even a criminal would not say something like this. He is openly inciting people,' Yadav said, urging authorities to initiate legal proceedings against Sahani. He added: 'Nothing could be more unfortunate than someone calling themselves a political party leader and talking about shooting the Chief Election Commissioner. He cannot be a political person. I condemn it.'
Bihar Minister Santosh Kumar Suman said such language had no place in a democracy or a civilised society. 'You can fight a battle ideologically and constitutionally, but talking about shooting someone personally is a sign of extremism. This sends a wrong message to society,' he said. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Guru Prakash called the statement 'foolish and unconstitutional', asking Sahani: 'You have the right to speak within the dignity of the Constitution. Is this your plan to incite violence?'
Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary added that any public figure with a distinct political identity must exercise greater restraint in public discourse.
Congress Also Distances Itself
Congress MP Imran Masood broke ranks with Sahani, stating: 'I do not support violence. Our ideology has no place for violence, nor do we speak about violence.' The condemnation from across party lines underlines how Sahani's remarks crossed a threshold that few in Indian politics are willing to publicly defend.
The Backdrop: ECI Controversy
Sahani made his remarks a day after a media report claimed that two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, had 'objected on record' to several decisions allegedly taken by the poll panel without their knowledge. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has, however, denied the report. Notably, this controversy arrives at a sensitive moment for the constitutional body, with opposition parties already scrutinising the ECI's functioning heading into upcoming state election cycles.
What Happens Next
Calls for legal action against Sahani are growing from within the NDA, which could compel police to examine whether the remarks constitute a threat under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code or the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. How the VIP chief responds — and whether he retracts the statement — will determine the immediate political fallout for his party.
Point of View
Then defending it with a martyrdom framing, leaves virtually no political cover. The near-universal condemnation — cutting across NDA and Congress — signals that even opposition-friendly spaces will not shield language this explicit against an election regulator. The deeper question is whether this episode will accelerate calls for a formal code of conduct on political speech targeting constitutional authorities, a debate India has repeatedly deferred. That the remarks came amid a brewing ECI internal dispute adds a troubling subtext: attempts to delegitimise election institutions through inflammatory language, whether intentional or reckless, carry consequences well beyond any single politician's poll arithmetic.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did VIP chief Mukesh Sahani say about CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
Mukesh Sahani said he would shoot Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar if the Constitution permitted one murder to go unpunished. He later defended the remark by claiming Kumar was 'intent on destroying the country.'
How did the NDA respond to Sahani's remarks?
NDA leaders, including Bihar Ministers Ram Kripal Yadav, Santosh Kumar Suman, and Ashok Choudhary, condemned the statement and called for legal action against Sahani. BJP spokesperson Guru Prakash termed it 'foolish and unconstitutional.'
Did any opposition party support Sahani's statement?
No. Congress MP Imran Masood publicly distanced himself from the remarks, saying his party's ideology has no place for violence. The condemnation was effectively cross-party.
What triggered Mukesh Sahani's remarks against the CEC?
Sahani made the remarks a day after a media report claimed two Election Commissioners had objected on record to decisions allegedly taken without their knowledge. The Election Commission of India denied that report.
Could Mukesh Sahani face legal action over his statement?
Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav has explicitly urged authorities to initiate legal proceedings. Whether police act will depend on whether the statement is deemed a criminal threat under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita or related provisions.
