Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has ignited a political firestorm, accusing the Election Commission (EC) of orchestrating widespread "vote chori" (vote theft) to favor the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking to reporters in the Parliament House complex, Gandhi claimed his party possesses irrefutable evidence—an "atom bomb" of proof—that the EC is manipulating voter rolls to skew election outcomes. He warned that those involved, from top officials to lower staff, are committing "treason" and will face consequences, regardless of their position or retirement status.

The explosive allegations come as the EC published draft electoral rolls for Bihar, following a month-long Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise ahead of the state's upcoming assembly elections. Opposition parties, including Congress, have fiercely criticized the SIR, alleging it is a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise voters in Bihar. The issue has sparked protests in both Houses of Parliament, with opposition leaders demanding an urgent discussion.

Gandhi revealed that Congress's suspicions of electoral irregularities began with the 2023 Madhya Pradesh assembly elections and intensified during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. In Maharashtra, he claimed, the addition of "crore voters" during voter revision raised red flags. "We conducted a six-month investigation, and what we found is undeniable," Gandhi stated. "When we release this evidence, the EC will have nowhere to hide."

Also Read: Bihar’s Draft Electoral Rolls Spark Voter Exclusion Fears

The Congress leader's remarks were echoed in a letter sent by opposition MPs, including Gandhi, to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The letter expressed "deep concern" over the SIR exercise in Bihar, accusing the EC of undermining democratic processes. The opposition has called for an immediate parliamentary debate to address these allegations.

In a related development, Congress announced a massive protest in Bengaluru on August 5, led by Gandhi, to expose alleged voter roll manipulations by the Karnataka Election Commission. Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal described the situation as "outrageous rigging" and vowed to hold the EC accountable. "We will not allow such electoral malpractices to go unchecked," Venugopal asserted.

The accusations have intensified the political divide, with the BJP yet to respond officially to the claims. Political analysts suggest that Congress's strategy may aim to galvanize public support and pressure the EC ahead of crucial state elections. However, the lack of publicly released evidence has led some to question the timing and specifics of the allegations.

As the controversy unfolds, all eyes are on Congress's next move and whether their "atom bomb" evidence will substantiate the serious charges against the EC. The outcome could reshape public trust in India's electoral process and influence the political landscape ahead of the Bihar polls.

Also Read: Election Commission Sets Stage for 2025 Vice Presidential Election