Yogi Adityanath slams Congress, SP at Gorakhpur rally over EVM blame
Synopsis
At a BJP counter-rally in Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanath accused Congress and SP of making EVM-blaming a 'national habit', demanded an apology over the 1984 Delhi massacres, and called Rahul Gandhi a 'dud firecracker' — escalating the BJP's offensive against the INDIA bloc's street campaign with an intensity that signals Uttar Pradesh is already in campaign mode.
Key Takeaways
Yogi Adityanath addressed the BJP's 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' rally in Gorakhpur on 4 November 2026 .
He accused Congress and SP of a 'negative approach' — taking credit for wins but blaming EVMs for losses.
Adityanath defended the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, saying Congress had supported it during its own tenure.
He invoked the 1975 Emergency and the 1 November 1984 anti-Sikh violence to demand accountability from Congress.
Adityanath called Rahul Gandhi a 'dud firecracker', citing failed launches through Amethi , Bharat Jodo Yatra , Nyay Yatra , and Voter Adhikar Yatra .
SP President Akhilesh Yadav's remark about 'next-generation revenge' was dismissed by Adityanath as incompatible with democratic principles.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday, 4 November launched a sharp attack on the INDIA bloc at the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' rally in Gorakhpur, accusing the Indian National Congress (Congress) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) of repeatedly misleading voters through a 'negative approach' of blaming EVMs and the ruling party every time they face electoral defeat.
Adityanath's Core Charges Against the Opposition
Addressing the gathering — which was also attended by BJP President Nitin Nabin — Adityanath said the rally was convened to 'draw attention towards those attempting to be roadblocks towards India's progress.' He accused the INDIA bloc of spreading 'anarchy' through its 'Dilli Chalo' rally held at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, calling it 'dangerous' for democracy.
'These parties take credit for their hard work whenever they win polls, but blame the EVMs whenever they lose. This has become their nature,' he said, drawing a pointed comparison to a schoolchild who blames the teacher for poor marks rather than acknowledging their own shortcomings.
Electoral Roll Revision and Infiltrators
Adityanath reiterated the Centre's position that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has been conducted multiple times in the past, including under Congress-led governments. He alleged that Congress had backed the SIR process during its own tenure but was now 'creating chaos' over the Election Commission of India's (ECI's) current exercise to remove what he described as Bangladeshi infiltrators, Pakistani nationals, and deceased voters from rolls.
'Whenever any Bangladeshi or Pakistani illegal infiltrators get their name added in the voter list, they snatch the right of a poor or Dalit in India,' Adityanath said, calling on Congress and its INDIA bloc allies to 'apologise for spreading anarchy in the country.'
Emergency, the 1984 Sikh Massacres and Historical Accountability
The Chief Minister invoked the 1975 Emergency, demanding that Congress apologise for 'illegally seizing properties and imprisoning people' during that period. He also questioned the date chosen by the INDIA bloc for its Delhi rally, noting that 1 November 1984 marked the anniversary of the anti-Sikh violence in Delhi. 'The Congress had spoiled the atmosphere of brotherhood between Hindus and Sikhs. When the country and the Sikh community were remembering those killed in the massacre, Congress rubbed salt into their wounds by staging the rally in Delhi,' he remarked.
Adityanath's Jibe at Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav
Adityanath directed sharp personal criticism at Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and SP President Akhilesh Yadav, calling them a 'pair of boys' who offer 'the same excuse' — EVMs, SIR — for every defeat. He referred to Gandhi as a 'dud firecracker', alleging that Congress had repeatedly tried to launch him — as a Member of Parliament in 2014, as party President in 2017, through the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', the 'Nyay Yatra', and the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' — with each effort reportedly failing to deliver electoral gains. Notably, Adityanath referenced Gandhi's loss in Amethi, the party's traditional stronghold, as evidence of his inability to build a mass following.
Responding to a remark attributed to Akhilesh Yadav about the 'next generation taking revenge,' Adityanath said: 'In democracy, there's no revenge; it is the people who bring about change.'
What This Rally Signals
The 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' event is part of a broader BJP counter-mobilisation against the INDIA bloc's recent street-level activity, particularly around the SIR controversy. This comes amid heightened political temperature in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP is working to consolidate its narrative ahead of potential state-level electoral contests. How the opposition responds to Adityanath's challenge on the SIR and EVM debates is likely to shape the next phase of the political exchange.
Point of View
Rather than simply issue statements, suggests the party is treating the INDIA bloc's street activity as a genuine threat to its narrative dominance in the state.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the BJP's 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' rally about?
It was a BJP rally held in Gorakhpur on 4 November 2026, addressed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, aimed at countering the INDIA bloc's recent 'Dilli Chalo' protest at Ramlila Maidan. Adityanath used the platform to accuse Congress and SP of spreading 'anarchy' and misleading voters on EVMs and electoral roll revisions.
What did Yogi Adityanath say about EVMs and the INDIA bloc?
Adityanath accused Congress and SP of blaming EVMs every time they lose an election, while taking full credit whenever they win. He called this pattern their 'nature' and compared it to a student blaming a teacher for poor marks rather than accepting responsibility.
Why did Adityanath raise the 1984 anti-Sikh violence at the rally?
He questioned the INDIA bloc's decision to hold its 'Dilli Chalo' rally on 1 November, the anniversary of the 1984 Delhi anti-Sikh massacres. Adityanath alleged that Congress 'rubbed salt into wounds' of the Sikh community by choosing that date for a protest, and demanded an apology from the party.
What did Adityanath say about Rahul Gandhi?
Adityanath called Rahul Gandhi a 'dud firecracker', alleging that Congress had repeatedly attempted to project him as a leader — through his 2014 MP campaign, as party President in 2017, and through the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Nyay Yatra, and Voter Adhikar Yatra — without success. He also referenced Gandhi's defeat in Amethi as a key example of his electoral limitations.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) controversy about?
The SIR is an Election Commission of India exercise to update electoral rolls, which the BJP says is intended to remove illegal infiltrators and deceased voters. The INDIA bloc has protested the process, arguing it disenfranchises genuine voters. Adityanath countered that Congress itself had supported SIR during its own time in government, calling current opposition to it politically motivated.
