Rijiju slams Congress over 1975 Emergency, defends poll agencies
Synopsis
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju invoked the 1975 Emergency and Congress-era judicial supersessions to counter Opposition attacks on democratic institutions — even as the Election Commission ordered a full re-poll in West Bengal's Falta constituency after finding widespread electoral offences, including allegedly taped EVMs and disabled surveillance cameras on polling day.
Key Takeaways
Kiren Rijiju on 3 May attacked the Congress, citing the 1975 Emergency , supersession of 3 senior judges in 1973, and the elevation of Congress MP Baharul Islam as a High Court judge.
Rijiju accused all Opposition parties of attacking government agencies, EVMs , the ECI , media, and the judiciary.
The Election Commission of India cancelled all polling in 144-Falta Assembly Constituency ( South 24 Parganas ), ordering a fresh poll on 21 May .
Serious irregularities found in Falta included allegedly taped EVMs , disabled surveillance cameras, and network failures — with 58% of votes already cast before corrective action was taken.
Counting for 293 other West Bengal constituencies proceeds on 4 May ; Falta counting will be held on 24 May .
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday, 3 May launched a sharp attack on the Opposition, listing a series of Congress-era actions — including the 1975 Emergency — and contrasting them with the current government's committee-based appointment processes for constitutional bodies. "People of India are not fools," he said, warning that the public would deliver a reckoning.
Rijiju's Charges Against Congress
In a post on X, Rijiju cited a string of historical grievances, including the supersession of three senior-most judges during the appointment of the Chief Justice of India in 1973 by the Congress government, the Supreme Court's characterisation of the CBI as a "caged parrot", the appointment of a Chief Election Commissioner as a Union Minister, and the elevation of Congress MP Baharul Islam as a High Court judge.
He also questioned the Opposition's silence on the amendment of the Preamble of the Constitution — as originally framed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the founding members — by the Congress government. "The sins committed by the Congress Party never ends.... People of India are not fools!" Rijiju wrote.
Opposition Accused of Attacking Democratic Institutions
In a second post, Rijiju broadened his attack, accusing all Opposition parties of targeting government agencies, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the Election Commission of India (ECI), the media, and now the judiciary. "They don't realise that they are attacking the core of Indian democracy. Wait, People of India will give them a befitting reply, teach a lifetime lesson!" he added.
The minister's remarks came against the backdrop of escalating Opposition criticism of the ECI and EVMs, particularly in the context of ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections.
Falta Constituency: Fresh Poll Ordered
The immediate trigger for the political storm was the Election Commission of India's decision to cancel all polling conducted at 285 polling stations in the 144-Falta Assembly Constituency in South 24 Parganas district on 29 April, citing "severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process".
The ECI directed a fresh poll across all 285 polling stations, including auxiliary stations, to be held on 21 May between 7 am and 6 pm. Counting of votes in Falta will consequently take place on 24 May, separate from the 293 other West Bengal Assembly constituencies where counting proceeds on 4 May.
On Friday, the Commission had also announced re-polling in 15 booths across Diamond Harbour and Magrahat (Paschim) constituencies in South 24 Parganas, which was conducted on Saturday.
What Went Wrong in Falta
Falta had been contentious even before polling day. A standoff had emerged between Special Police Observer Ajay Pal Sharma, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre appointed by the Commission, and All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Jahangir Khan.
On polling day, allegations of EVM tampering surfaced, and petitions seeking re-polling were submitted to the Commission. According to sources, scrutiny revealed serious irregularities — surveillance cameras were allegedly switched off in several booths, and the information reportedly failed to reach the control room due to network issues. There were also allegations that EVMs were covered with tape in multiple booths; although presiding officers reportedly removed the tape around 1 pm, by then nearly 58% of voting had already taken place.
On the direction of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Commission-appointed Special Observer Subrata Gupta visited Falta, Magrahat, Diamond Harbour, and other affected areas on Thursday to assess the ground situation. Gupta subsequently submitted a report recommending re-polling in around 30 booths in Falta — though the Commission ultimately ordered a full re-poll across all stations in the constituency.
What Happens Next
With Falta excluded from the 4 May counting, the constituency's electoral fate now rests on the 21 May fresh poll and subsequent 24 May count. The ECI's decisive intervention is likely to intensify the political debate over electoral integrity in West Bengal, with both the ruling TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expected to escalate their campaigns in the constituency ahead of the re-poll.
Point of View
Not just a handful of booths, is a rare and significant step that lends credibility to concerns about ground-level electoral management in West Bengal. The real accountability question is not 1973 judicial supersessions but whether the administrative machinery deployed for the 2025 Bengal polls was adequate — and who bears responsibility for a situation where nearly 58% of votes were cast before allegedly taped EVMs were even noticed.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kiren Rijiju say about the Congress Party?
Rijiju accused the Congress of historical attacks on democratic institutions, citing the 1975 Emergency, the supersession of three senior judges during the 1973 Chief Justice appointment, the elevation of Congress MP Baharul Islam as a High Court judge, and the amendment of the Constitution's Preamble. He said the "sins committed by the Congress Party never end" and that the people of India are not fools.
Why has the Election Commission ordered a fresh poll in Falta?
The Election Commission cancelled all polling in the 144-Falta Assembly Constituency in South 24 Parganas, citing severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process during the 29 April second-phase polling. A fresh poll is scheduled for 21 May across all 285 polling stations.
What irregularities were found in Falta constituency?
According to sources, scrutiny revealed that surveillance cameras were allegedly switched off in several booths and that information failed to reach the control room due to network issues. EVMs were reportedly covered with tape in multiple booths, and although presiding officers removed the tape around 1 pm, nearly 58% of voting had already taken place by then.
When will votes be counted in West Bengal?
Counting for 293 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal will take place on 4 May. Falta is excluded from this count; following the fresh poll on 21 May, its counting will be held separately on 24 May.
Who is the Special Observer appointed for Falta and what did he find?
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar directed Special Observer Subrata Gupta to visit Falta and other affected areas on Thursday. After assessing the situation, Gupta submitted a report recommending re-polling in around 30 booths in Falta, though the Commission ultimately ordered a full re-poll across all 285 polling stations in the constituency.
