Rahul Gandhi Alleges BJP-Election Commission Vote Theft Plot

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sparked controversy with explosive allegations of a "partnership" between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission (EC) aimed at "stealing votes" in Bihar. Speaking at Bhagat Singh Chowk in Nawada on the third day of his Voter Adhikar Yatra, Gandhi vowed that the Mahagathbandhan alliance would not allow a single vote to be manipulated in the state. The yatra, a hybrid foot-and-vehicle campaign reminiscent of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, seeks to rally public support against alleged electoral malpractices ahead of upcoming polls.

Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Election Commissioners of undermining the constitutional right to vote. "This is your right, fought for in the Constitution, and Modi, Shah, and the Election Commissioners are snatching it away," he declared, flanked by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav and CPI(ML) Liberation’s Dipankar Bhattacharya. He claimed the BJP-EC nexus has already "stolen" elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, citing an alleged addition of one crore voters in Maharashtra between the Lok Sabha and assembly polls as evidence of foul play.

The Congress leader highlighted the EC’s refusal to provide machine-readable voter lists and CCTV footage, despite requests from his party. "In Bihar, they are now carrying out 'vote chori' in a new way, right before your eyes," Gandhi warned, alleging a systematic effort to disenfranchise voters. He recounted an incident where a polling agent from the Lok Sabha elections found his name removed during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, claiming lakhs of Bihar voters have faced similar exclusions.

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Gandhi framed the issue as an attack on India’s democratic fabric, warning that voter suppression could lead to further erosions of rights. "First, your voter card will go, then your ration cards, and soon your land will be handed to Adani and Ambani," he alleged, accusing the government of favoring billionaires over farmers, laborers, and small traders. He criticized policies like GST and demonetization, arguing they benefit a handful of tycoons while leaving the masses jobless. "This country belongs to its people, not a few billionaires," he asserted.

The Voter Adhikar Yatra, which began in Wazirganj, Gaya, and entered Nawada on Tuesday, is set to cover districts including Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnea, Araria, Supaul, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Chhapra, and Ara, culminating in a rally in Patna on September 1. Gandhi intensified his attack on the EC, warning of "stern action" against the Chief Election Commissioner and Commissioners when the INDIA bloc forms the government. He also promised that the Congress would expose "vote chori" in every constituency if given time.

The allegations have stirred political tensions, with Gandhi positioning the yatra as a defense of 'Bharat Mata' against electoral manipulation. As the campaign progresses, it aims to mobilize voters and scrutinize the electoral process, raising questions about the integrity of India’s democratic institutions. With Bihar’s political landscape heating up, Gandhi’s claims could reshape the narrative ahead of the state’s elections.

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