Assembly polls dates: K C Venugopal accuses ECI of bias; terms its stand as ‘mysterious’

AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal on Monday (March 16, 2026) accused the Election Commission of bias, alleging that the Assembly election schedule was strategically engineered to undermine the Congress party by restricting its campaign window and limiting the movement of its key leaders.

He criticised the Election Commission's decision to hold the first phase polls on April 9 in states where the Congress party is a prominent force.

"There seems to be no urgency as the results will be announced only on May 4," he told reporters in New Delhi.

According to the election schedule announced by the Election Commission in New Delhi on Sunday (March 15, 2026), Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry will go to the polls in the first phase on April 9.

Mr. Venugopal said that after the last date for withdrawal of nominations, candidates will hardly get 10 days for full-fledged campaigning as it coincides with the Holy Week.

The Holy Week is of great significance for Keralites, and election work is not possible on days like Good Friday, especially in Christian-dominated areas, he pointed out.

He said even if the poll date had been scheduled after the Holy Week and Vishu festivities in the State, it would not have made much difference.

"You can see that the Assembly election is being held in the first phase in places where the Congress party will showcase a significant fight," he said.

"So, the Election Commission's approach is very clear. This election date has been announced with the objective of cutting short the campaigning of the candidates and limiting the Congress leaders who lead the campaign," Mr. Venugopal alleged.

He said a similar approach was evident during the Assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra as well.

"So, there is no doubt that the Election Commission's approach is very mysterious," the Congress leader said, adding that he does not know whether the state government has any role in it.

He, however, made it clear that the early election date would not impact the poll prospects of the Congress party, which is all set for the much-awaited Assembly polls.