Mangaluru: Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Suresh Gopi said that for the first time in the history of India, a ruling govt is taking on protesters, who are distractors of the constitutional structure of the country.He was addressing a public meeting held as part of its ‘Prajaprabhutva Ulisi – Arajakate Alisi’ (Save Democracy – Eradicate Anarchy) campaign in the city on Friday.“They should all be called traitors of the country hereafter for the treacherous activities they are involved in, for blocking the prosperity of our country, for the developmental activities of our country, and the essence of Sanatana Dharma in the country which revolves around being generous,” the minister said.Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya launched a sharp critique against the Congress party, particularly addressing the special intensive revision (SIR) of voter lists, allegations surrounding EVMs, and the opposition’s questioning of institutional integrity.“If the BJP wins solely due to the SIR process, how did the electorate hand Narendra Modi a hat-trick of victories in 2014, 2019, and 2024 before this revision took place? How can Congress attribute its losses to chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar when the party lost over 95 elections well before his appointment? Why are EVMs considered functional and fair when Congress wins in Karnataka, Telangana, and Keralam, but deemed hacked when it loses in Maharashtra?” he questioned the opposition, adding that out of 12 SIR exercises conducted in independent India’s history, 11 were held under Congress govts. BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia spoke on the occasion.
