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New Delhi | August 7 — Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that it is working in active coordination with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to rig elections and manipulate voter outcomes. Gandhi termed the alleged irregularities as a “massive electoral fraud” and claimed that the very foundation of India’s democracy is under threat.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, the Congress MP accused the ECI of deliberately overlooking serious concerns raised by the opposition regarding discrepancies in voter rolls, selective deletion of names, and irregularities in the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He alleged that these actions were not isolated incidents but part of a larger, systematic attempt to favor the BJP in both state and national elections.
“There is clear evidence that the Election Commission is no longer functioning as an independent constitutional body,” Gandhi said. “Instead, it is aiding and abetting the BJP in undermining free and fair elections.”
Gandhi also raised concerns about the role of government agencies and alleged misuse of state machinery to intimidate opposition leaders and suppress dissent ahead of polling. He cited reports of voter suppression in several constituencies and questioned the silence of the ECI on these matters.
He demanded that the ECI immediately address these concerns in a transparent and time-bound manner, including a full audit of voting data in certain constituencies. He also called on civil society organizations, independent observers, and the judiciary to take cognizance of what he termed a “deliberate sabotage of democratic institutions.”
The BJP, in response, dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. Party spokespersons accused the Congress of making excuses for its electoral losses and attempting to undermine public trust in the democratic process.
The ECI has yet to issue an official response to the allegations, but sources within the commission maintain that all procedures were followed in accordance with established norms and that any complaints would be reviewed as per protocol.
Political analysts say this renewed tension between the Congress and the ECI is likely to escalate in the run-up to upcoming assembly elections, especially as opposition parties continue to accuse the BJP of centralizing power and weakening democratic checks and balances.(The Hindu)
