"BJP to Rahul Gandhi: 'If you don’t know how to fight polls…' after Omar Abdullah's dig at INDIA ally Congress"

Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that the Congress must “justify” its leadership role in the opposition alliance instead of “taking it for granted.”

Responding to Abdullah’s remarks, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday criticized Congress leadership, with BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra stating, “Leadership is not earned and not demanded. You have to have the qualities of a leader. You cannot impose yourself.” Patra also accused the opposition INDIA bloc of being a “scam,” alleging that its partners contest elections separately while projecting different leaders as the face of the alliance.

Patra’s comments followed Omar Abdullah's interview with PTI, where the National Conference leader emphasized Congress's need to justify its leadership position. According to Patra, Abdullah’s statement was a “blunt message” directed at Rahul Gandhi due to his “conduct” in the Lok Sabha.

On the topic of electronic voting machines (EVMs), Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee suggested that those questioning the credibility of EVMs should provide a demonstration to the Election Commission. “If the process of EVM randomization, mock polls, and counting is done correctly, there is no basis for these allegations. If someone still feels EVMs can be hacked, they should meet the Election Commission and show how, instead of making random statements,” Banerjee said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also criticized Congress, advising the party to “introspect” on its election defeats rather than blaming EVMs. “If there was an issue with EVMs, Omar Abdullah would not have become the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. When Congress forms governments in Karnataka and Jharkhand, there are no complaints about EVMs. But when they lose Maharashtra, they suddenly blame EVMs,” Fadnavis remarked.