Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], September 30 : BJP chief spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo on Wednesday criticised the INDIA bloc and Congress over the alliance's meeting on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue, alleging that the opposition alliance exists only in name and questioning Congress' leadership within the bloc.
Speaking on the INDIA bloc meeting, Shahdeo said, "Their alliance has already broken into pieces earlier. The INDIA alliance exists only in name. Akhilesh Yadav does not accept their leadership either. Mayawati has distanced herself from it. The South Indian parties consider them untouchable."
He accused Congress of targeting major constitutional and national institutions, alleging that the party was attempting to discredit institutions while opposing the BJP.
"Congress has taken it upon itself to defame the country's major institutions, constitutional institutions and those institutions that define the country's identity. The Election Commission held a joint press conference, but they are still not satisfied. Today, they have called a meeting on the SIR issue, on which the Supreme Court has given its approval," Shahdeo said.
He also alleged that Congress had questioned institutions such as the Supreme Court, armed forces and public sector organisations, referring to the party's past criticism of issues including surgical strikes, the Balakot air strike and the functioning of institutions like LIC and SBI.
On the SIR process, Shahdeo said the last date for filing claims and objections had arrived and claimed that reports suggested the Chief Electoral Officer had possibly sought a one-month extension.
"If a one-month extension is given by the Election Commission, we have no objection. We believe that the parties whose BLAs (Booth Level Agents) were present have filed objections. There has also been a process to add names of those who were left out and remove those who were wrongly included," he said.
Shahdeo added that the BJP would accept the Election Commission's decision on whether to extend the process.
Launching an attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shahdeo said, "Rahul Gandhi should stop dreaming during the day. As long as Rahul Gandhi is there, Congress cannot even think of victory."
He further criticised Gandhi's electoral record and questioned his leadership, claiming that opposition alliance partners had lost trust in him.