JASROTA, Oct 17: Senior BJP leader and Jasrota MLA Rajiv Jasrotia has criticised the protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and Opposition parties against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the agitation risks turning electoral disagreements into a broader controversy over the credibility of India’s democratic institutions.
Jasrotia said that while questioning the functioning of constitutional bodies is a legitimate democratic right, allegations of electoral irregularities must be supported by credible evidence and pursued through established legal and constitutional mechanisms. He maintained that political differences should not become a reason to undermine public confidence in institutions responsible for conducting elections.
His remarks come amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with CJP and Opposition parties raising concerns over the revision process and the omission of names from voter lists. The BJP has rejected allegations of electoral wrongdoing and accused the Opposition of politicising the issue.
Emphasising the importance of electoral transparency, Jasrotia said that the accuracy and credibility of voter lists are essential to a healthy democracy. He stressed that any genuine discrepancy must be examined fairly and that eligible voters whose names have been omitted should have access to effective procedures for verification, correction and enrolment.
He said the BJP supports the resolution of genuine public grievances through due process, adding that transparency and accountability must remain central to electoral administration. However, he argued that sweeping allegations against the Election Commission should not be made without verifiable evidence.
Jasrotia reiterated that the party stands for constitutional governance, the rule of law and respect for democratic institutions. He said peaceful protests and dissent are integral to democracy, but maintained that political mobilisation cannot replace evidence-based scrutiny and established procedures for addressing grievances.
The BJP leader also questioned the Opposition’s approach to the controversy, alleging that different political parties were attempting to unite around a common anti-government narrative. He said Opposition parties should clearly explain how their protests would address voter concerns, improve electoral transparency and strengthen democratic processes.
According to Jasrotia, demanding resignations or repeatedly questioning the credibility of institutions does not, by itself, resolve electoral disputes. He said political parties must identify specific shortcomings, present supporting evidence and seek appropriate remedies wherever violations or irregularities are established.
He further emphasised that democratic accountability applies to every institution and political party. While the Election Commission must function transparently and address legitimate concerns, allegations against it must also be examined objectively rather than treated as established facts without adequate evidence.
Jasrotia said the Opposition has an important role in holding the government accountable, but that responsibility should be exercised through constructive engagement, responsible criticism and respect for constitutional processes.
He maintained that the strength of Indian democracy lies in the people’s right to choose their representatives, the credibility of electoral procedures and the availability of institutional mechanisms to address grievances. Any concern relating to electoral rolls, he said, should be resolved in a manner that protects eligible voters’ rights and preserves public confidence in the democratic system.
Reiterating the BJP’s commitment to constitutional principles, Jasrotia said the party would continue to support democratic accountability while opposing what it considers attempts to politicise constitutional institutions. He called upon Opposition parties to substantiate their allegations and focus on practical measures to ensure transparent electoral administration and the effective redressal of genuine voter grievances.
He concluded that political disagreements are an inevitable part of democracy, but their resolution must remain guided by facts, constitutional procedures and the rule of law.