Leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, Babulal Marandi, on Monday (September 28, 2026) attacked Rahul Gandhi over the issue of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar following the Indian Express ‘expose’.

Mr. Marandi accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of creating an atmosphere of anarchy in the country and unfairly maligning the Narendra Modi government.

Speaking at a press conference in Jharkhand’s Giridih, Mr. Marandi said that the allegation levelled by Mr. Gandhi is not an isolated incident and the Congress and Opposition parties have made such malicious attempts several times in the past also.

“Since losing power in 2014, the Congress has consistently levelled various allegations, with only the specific issues changing over time. They have raised questions about the central government and the electoral process on different grounds, yet the public has never placed its trust in their baseless and fact-free assertions,” Mr. Marandi said.

He further said that Congress party had previously stoked controversies by labelling EVMs as “black boxes,” chanting “Chowkidar Chor Hai” (the watchman is a thief), and raising issues like the Rafale deal and phone tapping; now, they are alleging “vote theft.”

“This is merely an attempt to mislead the public. The people have awakened and have understood Rahul Gandhi very well. In fact, the nation never takes the words of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress seriously,”Mr. Marandi said.

The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader added that the Congress leadership should be concerned about the conduct and activities of Mr. Gandhi whether inside or outside Parliament, or within or outside the country.

“Mr. Gandhi should seek medical treatment at hospitals available globally; otherwise, by the time 2029 arrives, he would sink the entire INDI Alliance, including the Congress itself,” Mr. Marandi said.

Mr. Marandi noted that the Opposition had created a massive uproar by seizing upon a recent newspaper report, acting as if they had stumbled upon a major scoop.

He pointed out that the official joint statement issued by the CEC and the two Election Commissioners substantiates that “all decisions were taken unanimously”.

“After the Election Commission’s statement, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress, and the entire INDI Alliance were left utterly humiliated. Mr. Gandhi never stands in support of India’s strength or its development. There are perhaps no other Opposition parties or leaders in the world who constantly tarnish their own country’s image,” Mr. Marandi said.

He further alleged that Congress’s statements often appear to align with the interests of China and other nations.

Senior leader and former Jharkhand Congress President Rajesh Thakur hit back at Mr. Marandi over his statement, calling him a double-standard person.

“The existence of Babulal Marandi in Jharkhand politics has come to an end, due to which he is frustrated. When he was in alliance with the Congress party, he used to kneel in front of Rahul Gandhi ji and now speaks such language. He has always remained a double-standard leader. Just to keep his bosses happy and remain alive in politics, he gives such statements,” Mr. Thakur told The Hindu.

The Congress and the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik), formed by the former Chief Minister, Mr. Marandi, had contested the 2009 State Assembly elections in alliance. However, in February 2020, his JVM (P) merged with the BJP.