The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly refuted recent allegations made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding electoral fraud and the integrity of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The BJP has accused Gandhi of making "irresponsible and shameless" comments, insulting voters, and undermining the democratic process.
Gandhi's Allegations Rahul Gandhi has claimed that there was large-scale manipulation of voter lists and electoral fraud in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, particularly in Karnataka. He alleged that the ECI is colluding with the BJP to "steal elections" and that this constitutes a "crime" against the Constitution. Gandhi specifically pointed to the Mahadevapura Assembly segment under the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency, claiming that 100,250 votes were "stolen". He also raised concerns about the INDIA bloc's performance in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, suggesting that the results were suspicious. Gandhi has further criticized the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of election rolls in Bihar, calling it an "institutionalized theft" to deny the poor their right to vote.
BJP's Response The BJP has vehemently denied Gandhi's allegations, dismissing them as baseless, bogus, and a sign of political desperation. BJP leaders have accused Gandhi of tarnishing the image of the ECI, a constitutional institution entrusted with conducting free and fair elections. They have questioned why Gandhi and the Congress party have not raised similar concerns about electoral fraud in states where they have won elections. The BJP has also criticized Gandhi for using threatening language against the ECI and its officials.
Key BJP Figures' Reactions Several prominent BJP leaders have responded to Gandhi's allegations. Ravi Shankar Prasad condemned Gandhi's remarks as irresponsible and said that such conduct would further alienate voters from the Congress party. Sambit Patra described Gandhi's remarks as "a peak of frustration" and "election rage," accusing him of "selective outrage". Kiren Rijiju dismissed Gandhi's claims as "bogus," suggesting he was relying on misinformation. Dharmendra Pradhan accused Gandhi of carrying out a systematic attack on the ECI as part of a wider conspiracy against India's constitutional bodies. Bhupender Yadav mocked Gandhi's presentation of evidence, comparing it to "someone cutting the branch he is sitting on".
Accusations of "Selective Outrage" The BJP has accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party of "selective outrage," pointing out that they only raise concerns about electoral fraud when they lose elections. They highlight that the Congress celebrated its 99-seat performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, despite now questioning the ECI's credibility. The BJP argues that if the ECI is compromised, as Gandhi claims, then the Congress cannot legitimately celebrate its victories.
Election Commission's Response The ECI has also responded to Rahul Gandhi's allegations, with the election body daring Gandhi to take an oath and submit a declaration that he had found irregularities in the voter list or withdraw his "fabricated evidence". The Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka and Maharashtra has also written to Rahul Gandhi regarding his allegations.
Overall, the BJP's stance is that Rahul Gandhi's allegations are baseless, reflect his frustration with the Congress party's electoral performance, and undermine the integrity of democratic institutions. The party has challenged Gandhi to provide concrete evidence to support his claims and has defended the ECI's independence and impartiality.
