Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Saturday, 17 October 2026, backed Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy's sharp attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, arguing that opposition leaders who question the Election Commission of India (ECI) should resign from Parliament — since they were elected under the very same body they now criticise. The remarks intensified the ongoing political confrontation between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-led INDIA bloc over allegations of 'vote theft' in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

What Rajbhar Said

Speaking in Lucknow, Rajbhar endorsed Reddy's charge that Rahul Gandhi was making irresponsible statements against the country. He drew a pointed comparison between the Congress leader and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, alleging both frequently shift positions and fail to stand by their own statements.

'He (Reddy) is right. Just as Akhilesh Yadav keeps acting on what others say and doesn't stand by his own statements, Rahul Gandhi does the same. He acts irresponsibly, and all his actions are against the country,' Rajbhar said.

Rajbhar pressed further, arguing that both Gandhi and Yadav became Members of Parliament under the supervision of the same ECI they now challenge. 'Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav have always questioned constitutional institutions. They became MPs under the same Election Commission they are now criticising. If they claim irregularities and vote theft are taking place, they should also resign, as they too won elections under the same system. However, they are backtracking on their resignations,' he said.

Reddy's Original Charge and the Broader Confrontation

The latest escalation was triggered by Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy's remarks on Friday, in which he accused the Congress of creating an 'anti-national ecosystem' and alleged the party was promoting narratives that could undermine democratic institutions. Reddy specifically alleged that after a series of electoral defeats, 'Rahul Gandhi and his party are now openly championing dangerous narratives of street-veto anarchy and unconstitutional regime change.'

This comes amid persistent demands from the INDIA bloc for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise. The ruling NDA has consistently accused the opposition of making allegations without sufficient evidence and of politicising a constitutional institution.

Attack on Akhilesh Yadav's Political Priorities

Rajbhar also launched a personal jab at Akhilesh Yadav, mocking his routine of social media activity and press conferences. 'Akhilesh Yadav wakes up at 12 o'clock and has to post on X. After that, he has to do PC. He has no other work,' Rajbhar said, questioning the SP chief's engagement with substantive public issues.

Notably, the UP minister's swipe at Yadav's X (formerly Twitter) posting habits is a pointed dig at the SP leader's digital-first political strategy, which critics from the NDA camp have long characterised as performative rather than substantive.

Caste Politics and Backward Classes Allegation

Rajbhar also accused the Samajwadi Party, Congress, and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) of betraying the extremely backward classes. He alleged that in Rajya Sabha elections, the SP awarded seats to family members and wealthy individuals rather than to representatives of other communities. 'Everyone (SP, Congress, and BSP) has betrayed the extremely backward classes… They made it the 'Parivar Development Authority',' he said, using a pun on 'family' to mock the SP's dynastic tendencies.

What Happens Next

The ECI row shows no signs of cooling, with the INDIA bloc continuing its campaign against the poll body and the NDA sharpening its counter-narrative ahead of upcoming state election cycles. Whether the opposition escalates its demands — or retreats in the face of the 'resign too' challenge — will shape the political temperature in Uttar Pradesh in the weeks ahead.