Congress Leader Accuses EC of Collusion with BJP; EC Demands Proof in Signed Affidavit.
The ongoing clash between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Election Commission (EC) intensified this week, with Gandhi repeating serious allegations of voter fraud during recent elections in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and warning about Bihar polls. The Election Commission has firmly rejected these claims, demanding that Gandhi submit evidence in a signed affidavit.
Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations: Systematic Voter Fraud Across States
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi claimed:
- Multiple seats in Karnataka and Maharashtra experienced voter fraud benefiting the ruling BJP.
- This alleged manipulation is happening systematically at a national level.
- The Election Commission is aware but not acting.
- He warned, “Abhi picture baaki hai” (there is more to come).
Gandhi accused the EC of failing in its constitutional duty to uphold “one person, one vote.”
Protest Outside Parliament and Opposition Detentions
The day before Gandhi’s statement, he led a vociferous protest alongside other opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Akhilesh Yadav, outside the Parliament building. The protest focused on demanding the release of machine-readable voter lists rather than scanned images, which activists say makes error verification impossible.
- Delhi Police detained Gandhi and 29 opposition MPs during the protest.
- Gandhi insisted the fight was “not political” but to protect the Constitution.
Opposition’s Evidence and Claims
- Gandhi presented PowerPoint slides alleging over 1.02 lakh illegal votes in Karnataka’s Bengaluru Central seat, contributing to Congress’s loss by 33,000 votes.
- Similar claims were made about the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, highlighting suspicious increases in voter rolls after BJP’s defeat.
- The opposition also criticizes the Election Commission’s ongoing “special intensive revision” of Bihar’s voter list, which is under Supreme Court scrutiny.
Election Commission’s Strong Rebuttal
- The EC maintains its voter list management is transparent and fair.
- It demanded Gandhi submit his allegations with a signed affidavit and proof.
- The EC accused Congress of attempting to mislead the Supreme Court.
- BJP leaders criticized Gandhi for “maligning a constitutional body”, demanding he prove his claims or stop political theatrics.
Conclusion: A Political and Legal Battle Over India’s Electoral Integrity
Rahul Gandhi’s accusations against the Election Commission have opened a fierce political and legal debate over election integrity in India. With protests, demands for transparency, and counter-accusations flying, the battle over voter fraud claims and the protection of the electoral process continues to capture national attention.
The coming weeks will be crucial as Gandhi is expected to produce evidence or face scrutiny, while the EC prepares to defend its credibility amid rising political tensions.
Also Read : Rahul Gandhi, Opposition Leaders Detained by Police During Election Commission Protest
