PM Modi Mocks Congress Over MLC Poll Results as Ballot Paper Debate Intensifies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have criticised the Congress party following its poor performance in the Legislative Council elections held across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka. The results have renewed a political debate over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), ballot papers and allegations of irregularities in India’s electoral process.

In a post on social media platform X on October 28, Modi highlighted that the elections for 28 Legislative Council seats across the four states were conducted using ballot papers. He questioned how many seats Congress had won, drawing attention to the party’s failure to secure any of the 12 seats it contested.

BJP Targets Congress Over Ballot-Paper Results

The BJP used the results to challenge Congress’s repeated criticism of EVMs and its demand for a return to paper-ballot voting. Several BJP leaders argued that Congress’s performance in elections conducted using ballot papers weakened its argument that electronic voting was responsible for its electoral setbacks.

Union ministers and party representatives also criticised Congress over the outcome, arguing that election results depended on voter support rather than the voting technology used.

The comments intensified the political exchange between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, which has continued to raise concerns about electoral transparency and the functioning of election-related institutions.

Congress Responds to BJP’s Criticism

Congress has repeatedly called for greater transparency in elections and questioned aspects of the electoral process, including the use of EVMs and the revision of electoral rolls. The party’s demands have formed part of its broader campaign concerning alleged vote manipulation and irregularities.

Following the latest results, Congress leaders challenged the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to consider conducting future Lok Sabha and Assembly elections using ballot papers. The exchange has kept electoral reform and the credibility of voting procedures at the centre of the political debate.

MLC Results Across Four States

The elections covered Legislative Council constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka. Congress suffered a significant setback in Karnataka, where the BJP–Janata Dal (Secular) alliance won all four seats.

In Bihar, Congress failed to win any of the five seats it contested. Jan Suraaj also entered the Bihar Legislative Council through the results, while other seats were won by candidates from different parties and an Independent.

The results varied across states and constituencies, reflecting contests among candidates representing different political parties and electorates.

A Wider Debate Over Electoral Transparency

The latest political exchange illustrates how election results can influence the national debate over voting procedures and electoral institutions. The BJP has used Congress’s performance in ballot-paper elections to question the opposition’s arguments about EVMs, while Congress continues to demand greater transparency and changes to aspects of the electoral process.

However, Legislative Council elections have different electorates and constituency structures from Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Their results alone do not establish whether allegations concerning other elections are valid or invalid.

The dispute is expected to remain part of the broader political discussion over electoral reforms, the Election Commission and public confidence in the democratic process.

Source: India Today, published October 28, 2026.