PM Modi questions Congress performance in four-state MLC ballot elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to pose a pointed question to the Congress party regarding its performance in recent MLC elections held across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka. The ballot paper-based elections for 28 seats concluded with zero victories for the Congress, prompting the Prime Minister's post on X asking the opposition party to account for its electoral showing.

The elections, conducted using traditional ballot paper voting methods across the four states, resulted in a complete shutout for Congress candidates. The outcome marks another setback for the opposition party in state-level legislative council polls, which typically see lower voter turnout compared to assembly elections.

MLC (Member of Legislative Council) elections in India are indirect elections where voters comprise elected members of state assemblies, local body representatives and teachers. These elections are held periodically to fill vacancies in the upper houses of state legislatures. The four-state results underscore the Congress party's continued struggle to maintain electoral relevance at the state level, even in contests that do not involve direct public voting.

The Prime Minister's social media commentary reflected the ruling BJP's emphasis on its performance advantages in recent electoral contests. The ballot paper voting system used in these MLC elections ensures a traditional, paper-based democratic process distinct from electronic voting machines employed in general assembly elections.

Photo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the India-Jordan Business Forum in Amman, December 2025. Prime Minister's Office, Government of India, via Wikimedia Commons (GODL-India).