BJP National Spokesperson and MP Dr. Sambit Patra addressing the media on Election Commissioner at BJP Headquarters. File
| Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
Rejecting Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s charge regarding Form 6 used for registering new voters, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday (October 5, 2026) said the Supreme Court’s decision to issue notices to the government and the Election Commission demonstrated a functioning democratic process.
At a press briefing, BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Mr. Gandhi of “spreading lies and confusion regarding Form 6”, arguing that the Supreme Court had neither called it illegal nor rejected it.
At a press briefing, BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Mr. Gandhi of “spreading lies and confusion regarding Form 6”, arguing that the Supreme Court had neither called it illegal nor rejected it.
Responding to Mr. Gandhi’s charge in an X post that Form 6 was changed illegally and unilaterally to help the BJP, Mr. Patra said: “Nowhere in court today did the Chief Justice say that Form 6 was illegal.” He said the Supreme Court had earlier upheld the declaration attached to Form 6 for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
‘Rahul creating anarchy’
“Expressing differences through letters, raising questions about a process, having a debate and discussion, and then moving forward with consensus, is democracy,” he said.
During a press conference earlier in the day, in response to a query, Mr. Patra said: “Going to the Supreme Court with a PIL, having the Supreme Court hear it, and issuing notice so that the other side can also be heard, is a democratic and judicial process. Therefore, naturally, a process is taking place.”
Healthy sign of democracy
Referring to the controversy surrounding Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the reported dissent notes written by the two other Election Commissioners, Mr. Patra said communication between the two Election Commissioners and the CEC was a “healthy sign of democracy”.
“Expressing differences through letters, raising questions about a process, having a debate and discussion, and then moving forward with consensus, is democracy,” he said.
“And after that, going to the Supreme Court regarding this entire process, and the Supreme Court issuing notice — that is democracy,” Mr. Patra further said, adding that those who alleged dictatorship and an “atmosphere of fear” in the country would now think twice before making such claims.
“There is no atmosphere of fear in the country. There is an atmosphere of democracy in the country…all institutions in the country are functioning independently, and all institutions are free to perform their duties within the framework of the Constitution of India. Today, the proof of this is before you,” he said.
Published – October 05, 2026 08:32 pm IST
