New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sharply criticised former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S Y Quraishi for his comments on recent political developments in Nepal.
In an interview, Quraishi described the events in Nepal as a sign of “vibrant democracy” rather than anarchy. He also urged governments to be cautious when regulating social media, calling it an integral part of public life. Additionally, he suggested that India should support democracies in the South Asian region as an “elder brother” rather than as a “big brother.”
The BJP, however, dismissed his remarks as “reckless.” The party claimed his views were unsurprising given his record during his tenure as CEC. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya alleged that during Quraishi’s time, the Election Commission signed an agreement with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), an organisation linked to George Soros’s Open Society Foundation. Malviya accused Soros of being a “deep state operator” and politically aligned with the Congress party and the Gandhis.
“Former CEC S Y Quraishi calling the developments in Nepal a sign of vibrant democracy is absolutely shocking,” Malviya posted on social media. He added that Quraishi’s past record made such a statement expected.
There has been no immediate response from Quraishi to the BJP’s charges. His remarks, however, have sparked debate over India’s approach to regional politics and the role of former officials in shaping public opinion.
