The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi following his recent electoral victory in Kerala, sparking a debate over trust and democratic principles. The BJP's reaction centers on what they perceive as selective acknowledgment of electoral outcomes, raising questions about the Congress party's commitment to democratic ideals.

Rahul Gandhi secured a significant win in the Wayanad constituency, Kerala. This victory, marked by a margin of 364,422 votes against his nearest rival, Annie Raja of the Communist Party of India (CPI), underscores his continued popularity in the region. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Gandhi won the seat with a record majority of 4,31,770 votes. He also won the Rae Bareli seat in Uttar Pradesh.

However, the BJP's criticism isn't focused on the victory itself, but rather on the broader implications of Gandhi's and the Congress party's approach to electoral politics. The BJP's main argument is that "democracy can't function on selective trust". This suggests the BJP believes that the Congress party, and Rahul Gandhi specifically, only accepts and celebrates election results when they are favorable, while questioning or rejecting outcomes that don't align with their interests.

In response to Rahul Gandhi questioning the selection committee for the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the BJP has accused him of "drama," stating that previous CECs were directly appointed by the Congress during the UPA regime. This accusation is part of a broader narrative where the BJP alleges that the Congress undermines national institutions when it suits their political agenda. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has accused the Congress of subverting constitutional institutions through amendments in the 1970s, countering Rahul Gandhi's claim that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has captured national institutions.

The BJP's criticism also comes in the wake of recent successes in Kerala's local body elections, where the party wrested control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation from the Left Democratic Front (LDF). This victory, which saw the BJP win 50 out of 100 seats, has been hailed by the party as a sign of changing times in Kerala politics and a boost to their efforts to make inroads in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed gratitude to the people of Kerala for voting for BJP and NDA candidates, stating that the state is "fed up" with both the LDF and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

The BJP's stance reflects a larger debate about the integrity and impartiality of democratic institutions. By accusing Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party of "selective trust," the BJP is positioning itself as a defender of consistent democratic principles, regardless of electoral outcomes. This narrative is likely to resonate with voters who value fairness and consistency in political behavior. The Congress party is yet to respond to BJP's accusations.