‘You Need To Introspect’: Amit Shah Challenges Rahul Gandhi, Cites BJP’s Poll Wins To Counter SIR Charges

Amit Shah challenged Rahul Gandhi to introspect over Congress’s electoral defeats, defended the BJP’s popularity against SIR allegations and cited recent victories to counter the Opposition’s charges.

Post Published By: Pradeep Tripathi

Updated : 13 October 2026, 7:49 PM IST

Amit Shah Challenges Rahul Gandhi To Introspect Over Defeats (Img: X)

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday countered Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of electoral irregularities, challenging the Congress leader to introspect over his party’s electoral record instead of blaming the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Shah cited recent election results and claimed that the Congress had failed to win seats in several contests.

The exchange came amid an escalating confrontation between the BJP and the Congress over allegations of electoral manipulation. Gandhi, after a meeting with INDIA bloc leaders at his residence, said the Opposition’s protests were aimed at restoring democracy and accused the government of undermining democratic institutions.

Shah Questions Rahul Gandhi’s SIR Allegations

Responding to Gandhi’s charges, Shah argued that attributing the BJP’s electoral performance to the revision of electoral rolls amounted to dismissing the party’s popularity and that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I also wish to ask Rahul ji: is this the result of an 'SIR'? You dismiss the popularity of the BJP and Modi ji by attributing it to an 'SIR'. You need to introspect," Shah said.

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The Home Minister also questioned the Congress’s electoral record, claiming that the party had not won an election in Gujarat since 1985. He urged Gandhi to examine the reasons behind the party’s repeated defeats rather than questioning the electoral process.

"I want to make this point clear—and specifically convey it to Rahul ji—that the Congress party has not won a single election in 41 years. The last election they won was back in 1985; since then, they have faced continuous defeats in Gujarat"

Shah Cites Election Results To Counter Congress

Shah highlighted victories by the BJP and its allies in several constituencies, arguing that the results reflected voter support for the ruling party.

"In Naogaon, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate won by a margin of 1,42,000 votes; the BJP wrested this seat from the Congress party. In Nandigram, the BJP candidate won with 76% of the vote, securing a massive lead of 1,22,000 votes," Shah said.

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He also claimed that the BJP won Rejinagar in West Bengal by more than 75,000 votes, taking the seat from the Trinamool Congress. In Puducherry, he cited the victory of an NDA candidate from ally AINRC by 8,482 votes. Shah further said the Congress had secured only 22% of the votes.

Rahul Gandhi Maintains Attack On Election Commission

Gandhi had accused Prime Minister Modi, Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of undermining the Constitution, warning that they would be held accountable.

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The INDIA bloc has maintained that it will continue its campaign against the Election Commission over alleged electoral irregularities, setting the stage for a prolonged political confrontation over the integrity of the electoral process.