Rahul Gandhi Unleashes Scathing Attack: Accuses Election Commission of BJP Collusion and Vote Theft

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi unleashed a fierce broadside against the Election Commission of India (ECI) during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra through Bihar, levelling grave accusations of collusion with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Addressing massive rallies, Gandhi asserted that the ECI had been "captured" and was actively aiding the BJP in what he termed "vote theft," a claim that reverberated across the political landscape.

Gandhi’s rhetoric was sharp and unyielding, painting a picture of an election watchdog that had allegedly compromised its impartiality. He emphatically stated that the Election Commission, an institution constitutionally mandated to ensure free and fair elections, was now operating under the influence of the BJP, effectively undermining the democratic process itself. This direct assault on the ECI's integrity underscores the deep mistrust and escalating tensions between the opposition and key state institutions ahead of crucial general elections.

A significant part of Gandhi’s accusations revolved around the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He suggested that the BJP's ambitious target of securing over 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections was not merely a confidence booster but a deceptive tactic to divert attention from potential EVM manipulation. "Their aim of crossing 400 seats is a distraction," Gandhi declared, implying that the true intent behind such a high target was to create an illusion of overwhelming victory, irrespective of genuine public mandate, through alleged electoral malpractices facilitated by a compromised Election Commission.

The Congress leader urged citizens to be highly vigilant and protect their democratic rights. He stressed that while people cast their votes for one party, the results, he alleged, were being "stolen" by another, with the ECI's purported assistance. This accusation aims to galvanize public sentiment, positioning the upcoming elections not just as a choice between political parties but as a battle for the very soul of India's democracy against institutional subversion.

Rahul Gandhi's impassioned speeches during his Bihar leg of the Yatra reflect a broader strategy by the opposition to question the fairness of electoral processes and accountability of institutions. By directly challenging the ECI's neutrality, the Congress aims to spotlight concerns over democratic integrity, potentially framing the 2024 elections as a referendum on transparency and the strength of India's democratic foundations.