BJP says Supreme Court notice to EC, Centre shows independence of institutions

The Supreme Court’s decision to issue notices to the government and the Election Commission (EC) on Monday (October 5, 2026) while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition demonstrated a functioning democratic process, negating the Opposition’s charge of an “atmosphere of fear” in the country, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said.

The Supreme Court issued notices seeking responses within a week on a plea challenging the decisions allegedly taken by the EC without the approval of two Election Commissioners.

Responding to a query at a press conference, BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit 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.”

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.

He added, “And after that, going to the Supreme Court regarding this entire process, and the Supreme Court issuing notice — that is democracy.” Mr. Patra said 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… [A]ll 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.

Law and order in Punjab

Mr. Patra also targeted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s ruling directing a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the corruption allegations raised by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s Officer on Special Duty and his close associates.

“We know what the law and order situation in Punjab has been like since the Aam Aadmi Party government came to power… Four murders have taken place within just 48 hours… Yesterday, a social media influencer who was quite well known in Punjab and who was also a makeup artist was murdered,” Mr. Patra said.

“When police constables and police officers themselves are being killed, how can the Punjab government protect a common man and an ordinary citizen? That is also something to think about,” he said, citing multiple recent instances.