Chirag Paswan, a Union Minister, responded to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on elections by asserting that the Congress leader has already conceded defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections. Paswan advised Gandhi to address issues within his own party rather than blaming external bodies for potential electoral setbacks. He stated that Gandhi’s complaints about the Election Commission and the EVMs are signs of admitting defeat. Paswan added that the Congress would face losses in states like Assam and Bengal following the Bihar elections. In contrast, Tejashwi Yadav, an RJD leader, supported Rahul Gandhi’s accusations against the Election Commission, claiming that the BJP has been influencing constitutional institutions. Yadav alleged that the BJP is aware of election schedules before they are formally announced by the ECI, raising concerns about the impartiality of these institutions. The controversy began when Rahul Gandhi criticized the Election Commission’s response to his allegations concerning the Maharashtra polls. The ECI had previously refuted Gandhi’s claims as unsubstantiated, highlighting the importance of respecting the rule of law and the work of election officials.