New Delhi, Dec 10 (NationPress) Senior BJP figure and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad executed a pointed counterattack against the Congress during the Lok Sabha debate on electoral reforms on Wednesday, accusing the opposition of casting doubts on the electoral integrity solely when facing electoral defeats.

“Whenever the opposition suffers losses in elections, it swiftly begins to question the Election Commission and the entire electoral framework. If the citizens of India are not casting their votes in your favor, what can be done?” Prasad queried, provoking enthusiastic applause from the Treasury benches.

In a critique of the Congress’ lackluster showing in the recent Bihar Assembly elections, the Patna Sahib MP remarked, “In spite of large rallies held by the Congress and its leaders proclaiming SIR (Special Investigation Report) from the rooftops, the electorate of Bihar only awarded them five seats. The populace recognizes the developmental efforts undertaken by the BJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and chooses to vote for us. This is the truth.”

Prasad specifically targeted Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, who earlier had a fierce critique of the government concerning the SIR and the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner, referring to “vote theft”.

The BJP MP raised significant objections to Venugopal’s statements and requested the chair to expunge his remarks, highlighting that Venugopal is a party in the Supreme Court challenging the SIR. “KC Venugopal himself is a petitioner in a pending Supreme Court matter regarding the appointment of Election Commissioners. Someone who has approached the Supreme Court on this issue lacks the moral authority to address this House. I urge the Chair to remove his entire speech from the official record,” he insisted.

The BJP leader called on the opposition to engage in self-examination instead of incessantly blaming the Election Commission. “There is an urgent need for self-reflection regarding why the public continues to reject you. Cease pointing fingers at the Election Commission every time you face a loss,” Prasad stated.

In response to the demand, Krishna Prasad Tenneti, who was presiding over the Lok Sabha, indicated that the House would review the records and take necessary actions.

This heated exchange highlighted the growing rift between the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc concerning the contentious aspects of electoral reforms and SIR (special intensive revision of voter rolls), particularly the clause providing legal immunity to Election Commissioners and the structure of the selection committee.