BJP National Spokesperson Smriti Irani on Friday, 9 October declared that India's democracy had delivered a 'fitting reply' to what she called 'mobocracy', as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept bye-elections across Assam, West Bengal, and Puducherry. Speaking at a media briefing in New Delhi, Irani claimed the results — most notably in Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal — validated the BJP's governance model against what she described as street-level political violence.

Key Victories Cited by BJP

Irani welcomed the party's performance across multiple states, listing the wins in detail. 'In Uttar Pradesh, the election of BJP candidates to the Rajya Sabha is a matter of great joy for us. In Puducherry, we heartily welcome the victory of the NDA candidate. From West Bengal, we are receiving overwhelming joyous news in Nandigram and Rejinagar,' she said.

She described Nandigram as historically a 'bastion of Left-wing ideology and violence against the public', arguing that the BJP's win there signalled a public endorsement of 'good governance'. In Rejinagar, she noted that nearly 71 per cent of voters belong to the minority community, framing the BJP's advance there as particularly significant.

Attack on Congress and Rahul Gandhi

Irani took sharp aim at the Indian National Congress (INC) and its leader Rahul Gandhi, citing remarks she attributed to him from January 15, 2025. 'The former Congress President had said with open heart that he was fighting a battle not against the BJP but against the Indian State, signalling that constitutional and democratic institutions will come under attack from them,' she said.

She added that no elected leader in the history of India had 'chosen or dared to inflict harm upon the country's constitutional fabric', positioning Gandhi's remark as unprecedented and dangerous.

'Smash the Patriarchy' Charge and University Harassment Case

Irani also challenged Gandhi's recent campaign rhetoric around 'Smashing the Patriarchy', calling the claims 'hollow'. She cited the case of a Congress MP who is also described as a professor at a 'reputed university in the national capital', against whom female students had allegedly filed complaints of sexual harassment in exchange for marks.

Irani alleged that the professor has since been found guilty in the university's own inquiry report. 'The former Congress President who brags about smashing the patriarchy never acted against him, leave aside taking cognisance of the offence,' she said, demanding that Congress leadership explain why no political action was taken against the 'indicted professor'.

Without naming the individual, she also raised what she described as Rahul Gandhi's alleged misconduct with a woman police officer during a recent protest at Jantar Mantar, urging him to 'walk the talk on what he preaches'.

Political Significance of the Bypoll Results

The bypolls span politically and demographically diverse constituencies, making the BJP's reported sweep particularly noteworthy. Notably, West Bengal has remained a stronghold of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, making any BJP gains there a signal of eroding opposition turf. The results come amid continued tensions between the Centre and Bengal, and add momentum to the BJP ahead of future state assembly contests.

The bypoll outcomes are expected to fuel fresh political posturing from both sides, with opposition parties likely to dispute the framing of results as a national mandate.