BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised Congress after leader Bhai Jagtap compared Election Commission to a "kutta" (dog). "Insulting constitutional institutions has become the identity of Congress. This isn't a coincidence; it has become a habit of Congress. They are now doubting...Election Commission," Poonawalla said. Jagtap also accused the EC of damaging democracy through "sycophancy".