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New Delhi, October 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has criticized Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his remarks describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and chief ministers as “illegal”, calling the statement an insult to the people's electoral mandate and constitutional institutions.

Kharge had reportedly demanded the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, alleging that elections were “illegal” and questioning the legitimacy of the governments formed through them.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, Chouhan accused the Congress of questioning democratic and constitutional institutions following electoral defeats. He said the party's criticism of the Election Commission, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and electoral mandates reflected a lack of confidence in the democratic process.

Chouhan maintained that Modi had been elected through the established electoral system and argued that describing the Prime Minister and Home Minister as “illegal” undermined the constitutional framework. He also questioned whether the Congress considered democracy legitimate only when it or the Gandhi family was in power.

Defending the appointment process for Election Commissioners, Chouhan referred to the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, which was passed by both Houses of Parliament. He said the law provides for a Selection Committee that includes the Leader of the Opposition.

On electoral rolls, the minister said voter list updates, the removal of duplicate or ineligible entries and the inclusion of eligible voters were ongoing statutory processes, with provisions for claims and objections. He accused the Congress of spreading fear and confusion among poor and minority communities over these processes.

Chouhan also criticized the Congress over its stance on EVMs, alleging that the party questioned their reliability after losing elections but did not raise similar objections when it won in states such as Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh. He cited Supreme Court rulings that he said upheld the reliability of the electoral process.

The minister further alleged that the Congress was targeting constitutional institutions to divert attention from electoral setbacks. He said political disagreements should be addressed through democratic means and reaffirmed the BJP's commitment to the Constitution.