Guwahati, Oct. 16: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing him of selectively questioning the Election Commission of India (ECI) and attempting to pressure constitutional institutions.

“Before discussing the SIR, you must address your own morality. The SIR exercise has taken place in Kerala and West Bengal as well.

As long as your own Chief Minister in Kerala does not resign, you cannot selectively question the SIR. You cannot have everything your way like when you win, the SIR is good, and when you lose, it becomes bad,” Sarma said.

The Assam Chief Minister further accused Rahul Gandhi of attempting to intimidate institutions, businessmen and the judiciary through his political campaigns. “He is trying to blackmail institutions and businessmen.

He has even tried to put pressure on the Supreme Court by asking people to march towards it. Rahul Gandhi is the number one blackmailer,” Sarma alleged.

Sarma also questioned Gandhi's political vision, accusing him of advocating a model of regime change that relied on street mobilisation rather than democratic processes. “He has no vision for India.

He wants to bring Bangladesh and Nepal onto the streets of Delhi. People will never accept this concept of regime change.

“Karnataka is an example. Sometimes people elect a BJP government, then replace it with Congress, and later bring the BJP back to power.

Governments can be changed through democratic means. We do not need street power or mob power,” he added.

“If you want to question the SIR and the Election Commission, you must first resign from the position you hold. You have the same certificate issued by the Election Commission as Narendra Modi.

If your certificate is valid, then Modi's certificate must also be valid. You cannot adopt such a selective approach,” Sarma said.

His remarks come amid continuing political disagreements over the SIR exercise and the role of the Election Commission in maintaining electoral rolls. Opposition leaders took their fight over the electoral rolls to the Supreme Court on Monday, filing a petition that alleges large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) while a march of supporters moved through the capital.