Anand Sharma Rejects ‘Regime Change’ Remark, Calls for Restoring Election Commission’s Credibility

Shimla , October 19 : Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Anand Sharma has criticised the use of the term “regime change” amid the ongoing political controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, stating that governments in a democracy change through elections and not through unconstitutional means.

 

 

 

Speaking to ANI in Shimla on Sunday, Sharma said the term “regime” referred to the broader constitutional framework, including the Constitution and democratic institutions, which the Congress claimed to be defending. He maintained that the credibility of the Election Commission of India (ECI) must be restored amid allegations of irregularities in the electoral roll revision process.

 

Sharma emphasised that institutions such as the Supreme Court, Parliament and the Election Commission formed the foundation of India's democratic system. He said voters had the constitutional right to decide which government should remain in power and which should be voted out.

 

“Democracies function through the ballot. Regime change is different,” Sharma said, cautioning against the loose use of the term. He added that the government must recognise public concerns and ensure confidence in the electoral system.

 

The controversy comes amid protests by INDIA bloc parties over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise and criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan had described the agitation against the CEC as a “fight for regime change”, triggering a political exchange.

 

 

 

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju rejected the suggestion of unconstitutional political upheaval, asserting that governments in India are determined by public mandate through elections. In a post on X, he said, “India is not Bangladesh,” and accused political opponents and activists of attempting to destabilise constitutional institutions through street protests.

 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also accused the Congress and its allies of using youth-led protests in Delhi to promote “anarchy” and seek a Bangladesh-style change of government.

 

Former Union Minister P. Chidambaram defended the use of “regime change”, describing it as a normal political process in a democracy and questioning the BJP's objections.