NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday ignited a political storm with a sensational voter fraud claim, alleging large-scale irregularities during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura Assembly segment. Accusing the Election Commission of collusion with the BJP, Gandhi said the democratic process was being “manipulated” and that “massive voter fraud” helped the BJP secure crucial wins.
The Rahul Gandhi voter fraud claim was made during a press briefing where he alleged that over 1 lakh votes were “stolen” through duplicate entries, invalid addresses, and fake voter IDs. Gandhi also questioned the sudden addition of over one crore voters in Maharashtra between the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, calling it “suspicious.”
Election Commission Dares Rahul Gandhi to Take Oath or Withdraw Allegations
In response, the Election Commission (EC) dismissed the allegations as “fabricated” and asked Gandhi to either take an oath under Rule 20 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, or withdraw his claim. The EC also reminded Gandhi that false declarations under the Representation of the People Act could lead to legal consequences.
The Commission has formally requested Gandhi to submit a signed affidavit by the end of the day regarding the specific entries in the Mahadevapura voter list he claims are fraudulent.
Congress Claims Evidence; BJP Calls Allegation a Desperate Move
During the briefing, Gandhi presented a detailed slide listing alleged irregularities:
- Duplicate voter names
- Voters listed in multiple states
- Fake or non-existent addresses
- Multiple voters at one address
- Blurred or tiny ID photos
- Misuse of Form 6 (for first-time voters)
BJP leaders hit back sharply. Ravi Shankar Prasad called it Rahul’s “habit” to make “baseless claims” and face defamation. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Congress of attempting to “tarnish institutions” like the EC and the judiciary whenever things don’t go their way.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused Gandhi of launching a “systematic attack on constitutional institutions,” suggesting a “well-planned conspiracy” to undermine Indian democracy. He also referenced the Congress’ history, calling it a continuation of the “dark chapter of Emergency.”
EC Reiterates Legal Route for Election Disputes
The Election Commission clarified that questions regarding election results should be addressed through election petitions in the High Court and reiterated that electoral rolls are prepared transparently under existing laws.
Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, maintained that “the umpire is playing for the other team” and called for judicial intervention to protect democracy.
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