Chitradurga (Karnataka), Oct 7 (PTI) Senior state BJP leader R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Congress of undermining constitutional bodies by targeting the EC and said a CEC cannot be “removed on the streets.”
Addressing reporters here, the Leader of Opposition said constitutional bodies such as the Election Commission could not be questioned or removed through street protests and alleged that Congress accepted such institutions only when election results were favourable.
“There are rules and regulations to remove the Chief Election Commissioner.c He cannot be removed on the streets,” Ashoka said referring to the agitation against CEC Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi and elsewhere by the Congress.
“When Congress wins by a huge margin, the Election Commission appears to them as great but when it loses, they blame the EC,” he alleged.
Ashoka was speaking after participating in the BJP’s Seva Sankalpa programme in Chitradurga, organised to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years in public office as Chief Minister and Prime Minister.
Referring to Congress leaders’ criticism of the EC over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Ashoka said protests against constitutional bodies were against democratic principles.
“Sitting on the road and shouting and screaming will not serve any purpose. That is not a Constitutional value,” he said. The Election Commission was an independent constitutional institution governed by established procedures.
Ashoka also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of selectively questioning institutions such as the EC, CBI, ED and the judiciary.
Ashoka also expressed confidence about the NDA’s prospects in the 2028 Assembly elections.
“Just as it is certain that the sun and moon will rise in 2028, it is equally certain that the NDA government will come to power. D K Shivakumar cannot prevent it even if three D K Shivakumars come together,” he said.
The BJP leader also sought an apology from Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar over his reported remarks concerning seers, while the latter clarified that his comments were directed at voters and not Swamis.
Ashoka sought to rejected the CM’s contention that the comments had been distorted by the media.
“You (Shivakumar) yourself said that all the heads of the maths should serve you. After saying that, you are now retracting and saying your words were distorted,” Ashoka said.
He said Shivakumar should apologise for what he said.
The LoP also alleged that Congress was disrespecting Hindu religious leaders and challenged Shivakumar to make similar comments at gatherings of leaders from other faiths.
However, Shivakumar has clarified that his remarks at a recent programme were directed at voters and not the seers.
“The other day, at a programme of one of Veerashaiva Swamijis, I spoke about certain issues. I never told people to disrespect any Swami. I was speaking to the people, to the voters, not to the Swamis,” he said on Tuesday.
“I said that we have to serve the voters, and that you (the seers) should protect us and that we will help you. I don’t know who in this state has as much respect for the seers as I do, or as much respect for scholars as I do. But I certainly respect all of them,” he said.
Shivakumar said he had always respected seers and followed the principle of respecting people irrespective of caste or religion.
“I am a deeply religious person, and I believe in the strength of my religion. I always bow at the feet of the seers,” he said. PTI GMS SA
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.