SRINAGAR, Oct 14: Vivek Bali, State President of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday criticised the Congress party over its demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, asserting that political opposition must remain within the bounds of constitutional propriety and democratic responsibility.
Bali said that while peaceful protest was a fundamental democratic right, personal attacks on constitutional authorities and attempts to undermine the credibility of democratic institutions were unacceptable.
He emphasised that political disagreements should be addressed through established legal and constitutional mechanisms rather than inflammatory rhetoric or public confrontation with institutions entrusted with safeguarding the electoral process.
Questioning the opposition’s allegations of “vote chori,” Bali challenged Congress leaders to substantiate their claims through credible evidence and appropriate legal proceedings.
“If the opposition has credible evidence of electoral malpractice, why has it not placed that evidence before the Supreme Court and pursued the appropriate legal remedies? Serious allegations must be supported by facts and addressed through constitutional channels rather than political theatrics,” Bali said.
He alleged that the opposition was increasingly relying on political confrontation instead of presenting a constructive alternative focused on public welfare, development and governance.
Taking aim at Congress’s political approach and its association with groups such as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Bali claimed that opposition politics lacked direction and a coherent vision for addressing the country’s pressing challenges.
He maintained that political alliances should be guided by national interest, democratic accountability and a commitment to the welfare of citizens rather than narrow political considerations.
The SBSP leader further said that India’s democratic institutions could function effectively only when political parties respected constitutional processes, presented evidence-based arguments and engaged in meaningful debate on issues affecting the public.
He urged opposition leaders to demonstrate restraint and accountability while raising concerns about the electoral process, adding that allegations against constitutional authorities should be examined through established procedures.
Bali said the country needed responsible political leadership and a constructive opposition that could question the government on substantive issues while maintaining faith in democratic institutions.
Concluding his statement, he asserted that political competition should centre on public concerns, development and national progress rather than confrontational campaigns that, in his view, risk weakening public confidence in democratic processes.