Smriti Irani Says Democracy Has Responded to Mobocracy, Targets Congress on Constitutional Institutions and Women’s Safety
BJP leader Smriti Irani expressed satisfaction over the party’s electoral performance during a press conference amid the by-election results. She said democracy had responded to mobocracy and questioned the Congress on its position regarding constitutional institutions and women’s safety.
In West Bengal’s Nandigram Assembly constituency, BJP candidate Hasirani Rath defeated Congress candidate Milan Pradhan by 1,22,753 votes. Irani described the result as an important achievement for the BJP. Nandigram has long held significance in West Bengal politics. In the 2021 Assembly elections, Suvendu Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee from the constituency. A by-election was held in 2026 after Adhikari vacated the seat.
In this election, the Trinamool Congress supported Congress candidate Milan Pradhan after withdrawing its own candidate from the contest. Despite the support, the BJP candidate secured victory by a substantial margin. Irani presented the outcome as an indication of public support for the BJP.
Referring to the party’s political position in West Bengal, she said the BJP had contested the election on a promise of good governance. Her remarks linked the party’s electoral performance to public trust.
During the press conference, Irani also discussed the Rejinagar Assembly constituency in West Bengal and the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam. She said the BJP was leading in Rejinagar, while vote-counting trends in Nagaon also appeared favourable to the party.
She specifically highlighted Rejinagar, noting that voters from minority communities accounted for a substantial share of the constituency’s electorate. According to her, the BJP’s performance in such a constituency was significant for the party.
Irani thanked voters in the two states and said the support received by BJP workers had encouraged the party. She presented the election results as evidence of the democratic process at work.
During the press conference, Irani questioned the Congress party’s political ideology and leadership. She referred to a statement made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on January 15, 2025, in which he spoke about fighting against the Indian state.
The BJP leader described the statement as significant in the context of constitutional institutions and the country’s democratic system. She alleged that such language raised questions about political parties’ approach to democratic institutions.
Her remarks reflected the continuing political differences between the BJP and the Congress, which have frequently criticised each other’s positions and statements on national issues. Irani criticised the Congress’s stance during her address.
She also said constitutional institutions played an important role in establishing, protecting and strengthening democracy. According to her, political parties must act responsibly in their approach to these institutions.
Irani also raised the issue of women’s safety and questioned the Congress on the subject. She referred to a case involving Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), in which reports had emerged of female students making allegations against a professor. She alleged that the Congress leadership had not responded adequately to the matter.
In her remarks, she also questioned the role of Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders.
Allegations against an individual are distinct from findings established through legal proceedings. The circumstances of such cases need to be assessed on the basis of institutional investigations, available evidence and official findings. Irani’s comments represented her political position on the issue.
Questioning political parties’ accountability on women’s safety, she said slogans delivered from public platforms were not sufficient. According to her, political leaders should also take clear positions on action and accountability in such cases.
Irani’s press conference focused on presenting victories by BJP and NDA candidates as expressions of democratic support. She thanked voters, referred to the party’s performance in West Bengal and Assam, and questioned the Congress on constitutional institutions and women’s safety.
Her remarks brought the political contest between the BJP and the Congress into focus alongside the by-election results. The BJP’s victory in Nandigram and the vote-counting trends in other constituencies formed the backdrop to her statements.
