*Chief Minister Addresses Press Conference in Gurugram; Says Opposition Should Present Concrete Facts and Evidence Before Questioning Election Commission*
*Clean Electoral Rolls, Free and Fair Elections and Participation of Every Eligible Citizen Essential for Strengthening Democracy*
*Removal of Article 370 Expanded Democratic Rights of People in Jammu and Kashmir says Nayab Singh Saini*
*Strengthening Constitutional Institutions Is Our Collective Responsibility*
Chandigarh, September 2026 : Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the need of the hour in the country is not the politics of allegations, but the politics of facts. He said that in a democracy, the Opposition has every right to oppose the government, raise questions and seek answers, but such questions should be based on facts, and if allegations are levelled against any constitutional institution, there should be concrete evidence to substantiate them.
He said that constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission, the Supreme Court and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) are not institutions belonging to any particular government or political party. Their prestige and credibility are an asset of the entire country and its democratic system. Therefore, despite political differences, maintaining the dignity of these institutions is the collective responsibility of all political parties and citizens.
The Chief Minister was addressing a press conference organised in Gurugram on Sunday. Haryana Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh, Sohna MLA, Sh. Tejpal Tanwar, Pataudi MLA, Smt. Bimla Chaudhary and Media Advisor to Chief Minister Sh. Rajeev Jaitly were also present.
*Opposition Should Present Facts Before Questioning Election Commission’s Functioning*
The Chief Minister said that in recent times, questions have been raised by the Congress and its allied parties regarding the Election Commission, the electoral process and other constitutional institutions. He said that questioning the functioning of any institution may be part of democracy, but making serious allegations without evidence is not appropriate.
He said that the Election Commission is an autonomous constitutional institution entrusted with conducting the electoral process in the country and preparing and updating electoral rolls. The Election Commission itself also works at various levels to include eligible citizens in the electoral rolls and increase voter participation.
*Election Commission Has Clarified Its Position on SIR- Chief Minister*
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini also referred to the questions being raised by the Opposition regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). He said that the Election Commission has clarified its position regarding its decisions and the process related to SIR. According to the records of the Election Commission, an order related to SIR was issued on June 24, 2025, following which guidelines were issued in various States and Union Territories.
He said that an attempt was also made to create confusion regarding Form-6 and the declaration form in connection with SIR, whereas the process relating to Form-6 and the relevant declaration form is clearly available on the Election Commission’s existing voter services portal.
*Ensuring Voting Rights of Every Eligible Citizen Is the First Requirement of Democracy*
The Chief Minister said that democracy is not strengthened merely by holding elections. It is essential that electoral rolls are accurate and transparent, every eligible citizen is given the right to vote, elections are free and fair, and public trust in the democratic system remains strong.
He said that it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to ensure that no eligible citizen is deprived of the right to vote. He said that during the electoral process, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) reach out to voters at the grassroots level and efforts are made to reach eligible citizens who may have been left out. The Election Commission has also stated that during the SIR process, BLOs visit households to collect forms and assist voters.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that political differences are a natural part of democracy, but such differences should not lead to distrust in democratic institutions.
The Chief Minister said that victory and defeat in elections are part of the democratic system. Questioning the credibility of constitutional institutions merely because an election result does not go in one’s favour is not appropriate. The country and democracy are paramount, and all political parties should perform their role in this spirit.
*Today, the Need Is for the Politics of Facts, Not Allegations*
The Chief Minister said that today, the need is not for the politics of allegations, but for the politics of facts. There is a need not to spread confusion, but to place the truth before the people. He said that political parties should present evidence along with their allegations so that the actual situation can be made clear to the public.
He said that instead of weakening constitutional institutions, there is a need of the hour to strengthen them. Raising unnecessary questions about the credibility of institutions ultimately affects public trust in the democratic system.
*Oppose the Government, But Ensure the Dignity of Constitutional Institutions Is Maintained*
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the Opposition has every right to oppose the policies of the government. Questions should be raised and answers sought from the government, as this is a hallmark of a healthy democracy.
However, he said that it is necessary to keep political opposition and the dignity of constitutional institutions separate. The Opposition can strongly put forward its views on government schemes, policies and functioning, but before making serious allegations against the Election Commission or other constitutional institutions, facts should be verified, and evidence should be placed before the public.
*Highlights Changes in the Lives of Poor and Deprived Sections*
The Chief Minister, referring to the work undertaken by the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi for the poor and deprived sections, said that over the past 12 years, benefits such as housing, LPG connections, ration, healthcare facilities, tap water and financial assistance for farmers have reached poor families.
He said that schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission have impacted the lives of ordinary citizens. The Chief Minister said that the objective of the government is to ensure that the benefits of development reach the last person.
*Need for Responsibility in Speaking on National Security and Sensitive Issues*
The Chief Minister said that all political parties should exercise sensitivity and responsibility while making political statements on matters related to national security. He said that statements on matters related to the armed forces, security and the country’s strategic actions, without concrete information, can create confusion among the people.
He said that in a democracy, the government can be criticised, but the responsibility of political parties becomes even greater when dealing with issues concerning the country’s institutions and national interests.
*Removal of Article 370 Expanded Democratic Rights of People in Jammu and Kashmir: Chief Minister*
The Chief Minister said that following the removal of Article 370 under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, democratic rights and political participation in Jammu and Kashmir have expanded.
The Chief Minister said that the people are also observing the actions of the Opposition and how questions are being raised about the dignity of constitutional institutions in the name of political opposition. He said that in a democracy, the final decision rests with the people, and in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections too, the people will exercise their right to vote and assess the work and conduct of political parties.
*Chief Minister Raises Questions over Congress and AAP on Drug Problem in Punjab*
The Chief Minister, referring to Punjab, criticised the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party. He said that during the Congress regime, the problem of drug abuse remained serious in Punjab and was not effectively addressed.
He said that even during the subsequent Aam Aadmi Party government, concerns among the people regarding the drug problem continued. He said that the thinking of the Opposition parties has been that if the youth remain caught in drug abuse, they will not raise questions about employment and their rights.
He said that concerning the future of Punjab’s youth and the problem of drug abuse, there is a need to focus on concrete action and results rather than politics.
*Strengthening Constitutional Institutions Is Our Collective Responsibility*
The Chief Minister said that for strengthening the country’s democratic system, it is essential to respect the independence, prestige and credibility of the Election Commission, the judiciary and other constitutional institutions.
He said that political differences have their place, but the dignity of constitutional institutions is paramount. Every eligible citizen should have the right to vote, electoral rolls should be accurate and transparent, elections should be free and fair, and public trust in democracy should remain strong—these are the fundamental requirements of a democratic system.
The Chief Minister said that the people of the country are aware and understand the facts. Therefore, all political parties should move beyond allegations and counter-allegations and strengthen positive, fact-based and responsible political dialogue.
