Congress calls all elections illegal

On October 3, 2026, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge vehemently denounced the current elections as illegal and called for their immediate dissolution. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and all state Chief Ministers of being illegitimate. Kharge insisted that fresh polls should be held using traditional ballot papers, criticizing the misuse of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

He alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll was riddled with irregularities and undermining democracy. Opposition leaders vowed to continue protests across the nation against the SIR exercise and alleged electoral malpractices. Kharge drew a stark contrast to past leaders, asserting that no one had ever engaged in such actions during a democratic process.

He lambasted Modi's administration for allegedly destroying democracy by altering the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners' appointment laws, removing the Chief Justice of India from the decision-making committee and replacing them with a Minister. Kharge demanded that Modi and his supporters step down, emphasizing that the health of India's democracy was at stake.