Rahul Gandhi claims massive irregularities in Maharashtra Assembly polls, accusing the Election Commission of adding fake voters and refusing transparency.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the Election Commission of serious irregularities in recent state elections, especially in Maharashtra and Karnataka. He noted that the INDIA bloc’s strong performance in the general election sharply contrasted with unexpected losses in the Assembly polls just five months later. According to him, this sudden shift raises doubts about the fairness of the electoral process.
Discrepancies in Voter Rolls
At a press conference, Gandhi highlighted that one crore new voters were added in Maharashtra within five months—more than in the previous five years combined. He alleged that this was unusual and said booth agents reported no corresponding surge in voter turnout, contradicting the Election Commission’s claims of high participation.
Spotlight on Mahadevapura Seat
Gandhi revealed that Congress conducted a focused investigation into the Mahadevapura Assembly seat in Karnataka. The party claims to have identified over 1,00,000 fraudulent votes through duplicate entries, fake addresses, and mass registrations at single residential locations.
Election Commission Challenges Gandhi
In response, Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer requested Rahul Gandhi to submit a formal declaration under Rule 20 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The Commission stated that any disputes with election results must be legally challenged through an election petition filed in the High Court.
EC Drafts Oath, Demands Action
Sources from the Commission urged Gandhi to sign an official oath listing the disputed voter entries. The EC warned that submitting false claims could lead to legal action under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
Political Response and Counterattacks
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad dismissed Gandhi’s allegations as politically motivated. “It has become Rahul Gandhi’s habit to make wild accusations, face defamation cases, and later apologize,” he told ANI.
Conclusion : As tensions rise, the spotlight is now on whether Rahul Gandhi will provide the formal evidence demanded by the Election Commission. The poll body insists on due process while reaffirming its commitment to electoral transparency.
