BJP MP Ravi Kishan: 'Rahul Gandhi has lost his mental balance'
Synopsis
BJP MP Ravi Kishan went on the offensive in Chhattisgarh, declaring that Rahul Gandhi has 'lost his mental balance' as the INDIA bloc's protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar intensified. With the CJI refusing a meeting and a march to the Supreme Court already underway, the Opposition's campaign is rapidly shifting from the streets to the courts — and the BJP is making sure the political cost follows it there.
Key Takeaways
BJP MP Ravi Kishan said Rahul Gandhi has 'lost his mental balance' while speaking to reporters in Chhattisgarh on 13 October 2026 .
Kishan accused the INDIA bloc of causing public inconvenience through protests in New Delhi against CEC Gyanesh Kumar .
He alleged the Opposition raises EVM and electoral roll concerns only after losing elections, not when they win.
CJI Surya Kant declined an Opposition request for a meeting, directing them to file a formal petition.
Rahul Gandhi subsequently led an INDIA bloc protest march toward the Supreme Court on Monday.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Kishan on 13 October 2026 launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming he had 'lost his mental balance', as Opposition parties escalated protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Kishan made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Chhattisgarh, framing the Opposition's agitation as political desperation rather than a legitimate democratic exercise.
What Ravi Kishan Said
Addressing reporters, Kishan stated, 'Rahul Gandhi, as you can see in recent visuals, seems to have lost his mental balance. They are resorting to physical violence. The day before yesterday, there was a fight involving shoes and slippers in Uttar Pradesh during a clash over the state party president. Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party are also involved. Since they are unable to defeat PM Modi and the BJP, they are now trying to hijack things.'
Kishan further alleged that the protests were causing significant inconvenience to ordinary citizens in the national capital. 'Someone travelling in an ambulance with a sick person is being inconvenienced, and someone else is unable to get to work. They are not even asking the public what it wants,' he said.
The EVM and Electoral Rolls Controversy
The BJP MP also took aim at the Opposition's recurring allegations around electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of electoral rolls. 'Gyanesh Kumar came in 2025. I want to ask Rahul Gandhi, wherever you won elections, there were no problems, but when you lose, suddenly you start questioning the EVM, alleging vote theft,' Kishan said.
Opposition leaders have alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise and raised concerns over the accuracy of electoral rolls. The BJP has defended the process, accusing the Congress of politicising a routine administrative exercise.
INDIA Bloc's Escalating Protest
The remarks come against the backdrop of a mounting confrontation between the INDIA bloc and constitutional authorities. Earlier, Opposition leaders had sought a meeting with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant to discuss their concerns about the election process. The CJI declined the request, advising them to approach the court through a formal petition following established legal procedure.
Following that rebuff, Rahul Gandhi led a protest march of INDIA bloc leaders towards the Supreme Court on Monday, marking a further escalation of the Opposition's campaign against the current election commission leadership.
Broader Context
This is not the first time the BJP and Opposition have clashed over the credibility of election processes. Critics of the government argue that the SIR exercise raises legitimate questions about voter roll integrity, while the ruling party contends that such concerns are raised selectively only after electoral defeats. Notably, the protests follow a pattern seen after several recent state election results, where the losing side has raised procedural objections. The standoff between the INDIA bloc and the Election Commission of India (ECI) now appears set to move into the judicial arena, with the Opposition likely to file a formal petition before the Supreme Court.
Point of View
The BJP is trying to shift the debate from the substance of the electoral roll concerns to the conduct of those raising them. That is a politically convenient deflection: the SIR exercise and its implications for voter rolls deserve scrutiny on their own merits, irrespective of who is protesting. The CJI's refusal to grant an informal audience is significant — it forecloses a political shortcut and forces the INDIA bloc into a legal process where they must substantiate their claims with evidence, not street theatre. Whether they can do that remains the real question mainstream coverage is not yet asking.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did BJP MP Ravi Kishan say about Rahul Gandhi?
Ravi Kishan said Rahul Gandhi 'seems to have lost his mental balance,' making the remarks while speaking to reporters in Chhattisgarh on 13 October 2026. He was commenting on the INDIA bloc's ongoing protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Why is the Opposition protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar?
Opposition leaders have raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of electoral rolls and questioned the integrity of the election process under CEC Gyanesh Kumar. They accuse the BJP of politicising the electoral machinery.
Did the Chief Justice of India agree to meet INDIA bloc leaders?
No. CJI Surya Kant declined the Opposition's request for a meeting, advising them to approach the Supreme Court through a formal petition following established legal procedure. Following this, Rahul Gandhi led a protest march of INDIA bloc leaders toward the apex court on Monday.
What is the BJP's position on EVM and electoral roll allegations?
The BJP has defended the SIR exercise as a routine administrative process and accused the Congress of politicising it. Ravi Kishan argued that the Opposition raises EVM and electoral roll concerns selectively — only after losing elections, not after winning them.
What happens next in the INDIA bloc's campaign?
With the CJI declining a direct meeting, the INDIA bloc is expected to file a formal petition before the Supreme Court challenging concerns related to the electoral rolls and the SIR exercise, moving the confrontation from public protests to the judicial arena.
