PM Modi Takes Dig at Congress After Party Draws Blank in Ballot-Paper MLC Elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a swipe at the Congress over its performance in Legislative Council elections across four states, highlighting that the polls were conducted using ballot papers.

In a post on X, Modi wrote:

“MLC elections in 28 seats across 4 big states - Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka. Elections held using ballot papers. Guess how many seats Congress won? 🧐”

The Prime Minister's remarks came amid repeated allegations of electoral irregularities and demands for a return to ballot-paper voting by Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.

According to election reports, Congress failed to win any of the 28 contested seats, despite having contested 12 constituencies, including four it previously held.

Karnataka setback for Congress
The party suffered a major setback in Karnataka, where the BJP-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance swept all four seats. The BJP retained three constituencies, while JD(S) wrested the Bengaluru Teachers' seat from the Congress.

In Bihar, Jan Suraaj Party registered a breakthrough by winning its first Legislative Council seat, defeating Congress incumbent Madan Mohan Jha in the Darbhanga Teachers' constituency.

The results have provided fresh ammunition for the BJP to question Congress's electoral narrative surrounding EVMs and ballot papers.

The elections covered teachers' and graduates' constituencies, not general public voting.