BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Thursday (October 8, 2026) attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing him of having an “anarchist mindset” and trying to spread “poison” in society.

His remarks came after the Congress leader on Wednesday (October 7, 2026) led the INDIA bloc leaders’ street protests before being detained again along with many MPs by police.

“I can only say that they are of ‘arajaktawadi’ (anarchist) mindset and trying to spread poison in society. If he had such objections, elections in Kerala were also conducted by the same Election Commission. The election in Tamil Nadu, where they have come to power, was also conducted by the same Election Commission,” Mr. Nabin said “If Rahul Gandhi has the courage, he should first resign. The people are watching the manner in which he is playing this game,” he said.

Mr. Nabin also accused the Leader of Opposition of protecting infiltrators.

“Those who come to India from different places and deprive the people of their rights are being opposed. I believe that the people of India have the right over the country’s resources, wealth and land. We will not allow infiltrators to claim these rights,” he said.

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The BJP will always oppose attempts to settle people in India with a “foreign mindset”, Mr. Nabin added.

The Congress has been demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation after The Indian Express reported that election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected on record at least 14 times over the past 10 months to decisions and orders mostly related to the Special Intensive Revision process.

Under fire over red flags raised by two of its commissioners, the ECI has asserted that differing views and observations are a part of deliberations in any institution and all its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.

Earlier, Mr. Nabin offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple here and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the temple corridor.

“I congratulate Narendra Modi ji and respected Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji for the corridor. You have given a very grand and distinct form to a centre of faith for crores of Sanatanis,” he said.

Asked about the BJP’s election preparations, Mr. Nabin said the party’s workers function round-the-clock.

“A BJP worker works 24×7. For us, every day is a working day and every day is an election day. We are not among those who come only during the election season. Our programmes, our work and our communication with the people continue throughout the year,” he said.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday (August 21, 2026) staged a dharna (sit-in) outside the Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi, seeking the registration of an FIR over pellet injuries suffered by a youth during the July 20 Cockroach Janata Party-led protest over the NEET paper leak issue.

Mr. Gandhi is accompanied by Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old protester who was hit by a pellet gun during police action. He suffered pellet injuries to the eyes and abdomen, and later underwent surgery at the AIIMS Trauma Centre.

The Delhi Police have so far barricaded the area and closed the police station gates as Congress party workers and supporters attempted to enter, raising slogans. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also arrived at the station with party workers staging a dharna outside the gates.

“Sahil wants to file FIR, but that is not being allowed. If not Delhi Police, then who? We are only asking for justice for the family,” Mr. Gandhi said, speaking to media outside the police station.

The Congress leader and Mr. Lochab first visited the Mandir Marg police station and sought the registration of the FIR. After the demand was not accepted, they went to the Parliament Street police station and met the deputy commissioner of police (DCP).

‘No I/O number or acknowledgement on complaint’

According to the Congress party, Mr. Lochab had approached the Delhi Police along with his lawyers on August 14 and submitted a written complaint. However, the police allegedly did not provide an I/O number or acknowledgement. The complaint was again pursued on August 17 through email and phone, but no I/O number or acknowledgement was provided, they said.

In line with this, Mr. Gandhi accompanied Mr. Lochab to the DCP office on Friday (August 21, 2026) to press for action and seek registration of the case. “The DCP is again not giving the case officer and I/O number. As it’s a cognisable offence, a FIR also has to be registered, but Delhi police not doing so,” the party said.

Supreme Court says use of pellet guns in ‘exceptional circumstances’ is part of graded police response

According to the complainant, the alleged incident constitutes a cognisable offence and warrants registration of an FIR.

Earlier on July 29, the Congress leader had addressed the media and said that protesting students were fired at with pellet guns and claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was responsible for “brutality” against the protesters.

With PTI inputs