BJP Accuses Congress of Seeking Bangladesh-Style Regime Change

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other Bharatiya Janata Party leaders accused the Indian National Congress and its INDIA bloc allies of orchestrating a conspiracy to seize power through anarchy. Speaking in Lucknow on October 16, 2026, Singh alleged the opposition is using youth-led protests against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls as a pretext to destabilize the country. He claimed the opposition seeks a "regime change" modeled after the 2024 uprising in Bangladesh, attempting to turn young people into "pawns of anarchic politics."

The accusations followed massive protests in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter list irregularities. The BJP cited remarks from activists and student leaders who referenced the Bangladesh movement as evidence of a non-democratic agenda. Singh further criticized the Congress party's historical record, citing the 1975 Emergency and other past violence as a pattern of undermining constitutional values.

Congress leaders rejected the allegations, asserting that peaceful demonstrations and seeking a change of government through elections are fundamental democratic rights. Spokesperson Pawan Khera stated the opposition's goal is to change the government via the ballot box, while P. Chidambaram argued that regime change is a normal democratic process. The BJP maintained that any change in government must occur exclusively through constitutional processes and democratic elections.