Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of protecting so-called “vote chors” and undermining democracy. During a press conference held at the Congress headquarters in Indira Bhawan, Gandhi expressed serious concerns regarding alleged systematic deletions of Congress supporters’ votes.
This event took place on Thursday, as Gandhi urged the Election Commission to act decisively regarding the accusations in a timely manner. He demanded that the commission provide information to the Karnataka CID, who are investigating voter deletions, within one week.
Claims of Systematic Voter Deletions
Gandhi brought attention to troubling allegations involving the Karnataka Assembly constituency of Aland. Here, he claimed that attempts were made to delete 6,018 votes from the rolls, particularly targeting Congress supporters.
“Someone has been systematically targeting millions of voters for deletion,” Gandhi said, highlighting the seriousness of these actions. His assertions are bolstered by specific instances, such as in the Aland constituency where a voter’s relatives discovered the deletion of their names by chance.
Evidence of Fraudulent Vote Manipulation
According to Gandhi, in Rajura constituency, voters were fraudulently added using automated software, raising further questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
He stated, “I will not say anything which is not backed by 100 percent proof.” Gandhi emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability within the Election Commission, suggesting that higher authorities are indirectly facilitating this corruption.
Gandhi invited two individuals to the stage during the press conference—one whose vote was allegedly deleted and another whose identity was misused for the fraudulent action. Both publicly denied any wrongdoing, further emphasizing the chilling reality of the alleged voter manipulation.
Election Commission Under Fire
During his address, Gandhi criticized the Election Commission for not providing information requested by the CID concerning applications filed to delete votes.
The CID reportedly sent a series of 18 letters over 18 months seeking access to basic details like the source IP addresses of the applications. However, Gandhi claimed the commission has withheld this information, which he believes could uncover the operation behind these alleged manipulations.
“They are defending the murderers of democracy,” he claimed, appealing to the youth of India to recognize the implications these voter manipulations have on their future.
Upcoming Revelations and Continued Vigilance
This press conference was part of Gandhi’s ongoing campaign initiatives, including his Voter Adhikar Yatra. He touched on his previous statements about revealing the so-called “hydrogen bomb” of information on electoral rigging, which he says will shake the core of Narendra Modi’s government.
Last month, he referenced numbers from the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, asserting that over one lakh votes in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura segment were stolen through manipulative strategies, dubbing this “vote chori” as an “atom bomb on our democracy.”
As the political landscape grows increasingly contentious, the implications of these accusations are profound. The transparency of electoral processes will be crucial for future elections.
In conclusion, Gandhi’s strong words about CEC Gyanesh Kumar point to a broader concern regarding election integrity in India. As citizens gear up for the upcoming elections, the push for accountability in the electoral process becomes more salient than ever.
