In a recent escalation of political rhetoric, Rahul Gandhi has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "match-fixing" in the November 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. This serious allegation has triggered a strong response from the BJP, setting the stage for a heated political battle.
Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, has been vocal in his criticism of the electoral process, particularly concerning the Maharashtra polls. He alleges that the BJP orchestrated a "match-fixing" operation to secure a victory, implying that the elections were rigged in their favor. In a statement, Gandhi outlined what he described as a step-by-step playbook for rigging the elections, starting with "rigging the panel for appointing the Election Commission". He has questioned the Election Commissioners Appointment Act, suggesting it allows the Prime Minister and Home Minister to effectively choose Election Commissioners, compromising the impartiality of the electoral process. Gandhi also raised concerns about the addition of a large number of voters to the electoral rolls after the Lok Sabha elections, claiming that these additions disproportionately benefited the BJP. He pointed to a substantial increase of 72 lakh voters after the Lok Sabha elections, predominantly in constituencies won by the BJP.
The Congress leader has not only questioned the integrity of the Maharashtra elections but has also cautioned against similar "match-fixing" activities by the BJP in upcoming elections, particularly in Bihar. He argued that the alleged tampering begins by "rigging the panel for appointing the Election Commission," further elaborating that the subsequent steps involve adding fake voters to the roll, inflating voter turnout, targeting bogus voting in areas where the BJP needs to win, and ultimately, concealing the evidence. Gandhi has urged concerned citizens to examine the evidence, demand answers, and recognize that the "match-fixing of Maharashtra will come to Bihar next, and then anywhere the BJP is losing."
The BJP has vehemently denied these allegations, dismissing them as baseless and politically motivated. BJP leaders have launched a counter-attack, accusing Gandhi of misrepresenting facts and operating at the behest of certain vested interests. They have defended the fairness and transparency of the electoral process, asserting that the BJP's victories are a reflection of the people's mandate. Some BJP spokespersons have gone so far as to suggest that Gandhi's statements are aligned with narratives propagated by rival nations, questioning the timing and intent behind his accusations.
Sources within the Election Commission (EC) have also refuted Gandhi's claims, calling them "absurd." They clarified that the number of votes cast in the final two hours was below the average hourly trend. They highlighted the presence of political party agents during voting and the lack of substantiated allegations raised during scrutiny. The EC maintains that all Indian elections are conducted in accordance with the law, with a scale and accuracy that is widely acclaimed worldwide. They point to the fact that political parties, including the Congress, actively participated in the revision of electoral rolls, with their appointed agents present at polling booths.
The controversy surrounding the Maharashtra elections and Gandhi's "match-fixing" allegations has raised significant questions about the integrity of the electoral process in India. While Gandhi's claims have ignited a political firestorm, the BJP and the Election Commission have strongly defended the fairness of the elections.
