"Sanjay Tandon attends BJP Himachal Pradesh's state-level meeting at Hotel Dhruv, Shimla."
In a sharp retort to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s recent comments about the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), BJP Himachal Pradesh co-incharge Sanjay Tandon has firmly stated that the issue is not with the EVMs but with the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. Addressing a state-level Sangathan Parv meeting, Tandon questioned the logic behind Kharge’s claims and instead attributed the Congress’ electoral defeats to poor leadership rather than alleged EVM malfunctions.
Tandon’s Critique of Congress Leadership: A Call for Change
Tandon, with his usual wit, quipped that Congress’ consistent defeats are not the result of faulty EVMs, but rather the outcome of Rahul Gandhi’s poor management. He pointed to the crushing loss that Congress suffered in the Maharashtra assembly elections, where the BJP-supported Mahayuti coalition emerged victorious with a massive mandate, while Congress secured only 16 out of 288 seats.
In his remarks, Tandon suggested that Congress needs a leadership overhaul, emphasizing that it is Rahul Gandhi’s leadership style that is alienating voters. “The Congress should focus on changing its leadership, not the EVMs,” Tandon stated, adding that Kharge’s comments about sidelining EVMs are a sign of frustration rather than a genuine grievance.
EVMs as Symbols of Energy, Development, and Hard Work
Drawing a parallel between the EVMs and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the country, Tandon argued that the EVMs represent “Energy, Development, and Modi’s hard work.” He mocked Congress’ constant focus on blaming external factors like EVMs, the judiciary, the Election Commission, and agencies like ED and CBI, while failing to introspect on their own organizational shortcomings.
According to Tandon, Congress’ defeat is a reflection of the people’s growing disillusionment with the party, not a flaw in the electoral process. “The public has already sidelined Congress. It’s not just the BJP that is moving forward; the people of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and other states have made their choice,” he said.
The Growing Marginalization of Congress: A Wake-Up Call
Tandon also noted that Congress’ poor performance in states like Jharkhand and Maharashtra is indicative of its declining support base. “In Maharashtra, Congress has become an almost irrelevant force with just 16 seats, while the BJP-backed alliance continues to govern. Similarly, in Jharkhand, Congress is far behind the BJP. The results speak for themselves,” he remarked.
Tandon’s criticism was particularly pointed towards Congress leaders who, in the wake of these electoral losses, have resorted to “absurd statements” in their frustration. He also referenced Kharge’s controversial suggestion of bringing back ballot papers and storing EVMs at Prime Minister Modi’s and Home Minister Amit Shah’s homes. In response, Tandon humorously remarked that the EVMs are already present in Modi’s house, with the acronym EVM symbolizing “Energy, Vikas, and Modi.”
A Call for Political Courtesy and Self-Reflection
While Tandon’s comments were unapologetically critical, he also issued a reminder about the importance of political courtesy. “In politics, there should be enough respect for the process, and even in criticism, one must be courteous,” he said. Tandon acknowledged that Kharge likely understands the real issue but hesitated to speak out against his party’s leadership.
A Turning Point for Congress?
Sanjay Tandon’s remarks underline the growing tension between the BJP and Congress in the face of electoral setbacks for the latter. While Congress seeks to deflect blame towards EVMs and other external factors, Tandon and the BJP maintain that the party’s internal leadership issues are the root cause of its diminishing political relevance. Whether Congress will take heed of Tandon’s pointed advice to overhaul its leadership remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the ongoing rivalry between these two major political forces is far from over.
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