Rahul Gandhi Vows to Challenge Discrepancies’ in India’s Electoral System
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a fresh attack on India’s electoral process, alleging that the system is plagued by “serious discrepancies” and vowing to continue challenging its integrity both in court and through public advocacy.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Gandhi claimed that widespread irregularities in voter rolls and polling processes had distorted recent election results. According to him, without what he described as “manipulation in at least 15 seats,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not have been able to retain his position.
Gandhi specifically pointed to anomalies in Bihar’s voter list, saying he had “had tea with dead people” — a jibe at the inclusion of deceased voters in official rolls.
He also alleged the existence of fake names that, he argued, were strategically inserted to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Congress leader’s accusations have been echoed by several opposition figures. Karnataka’s Law Minister, H.K. Patil, urged the Election Commission (EC) to treat Gandhi’s remarks as a formal complaint, arguing that the claims are backed by documented evidence.
The Indian Youth Congress staged protests outside the EC’s offices, carrying banners accusing the commission of “vote chori” (vote theft).
However, the Election Commission has dismissed the allegations as baseless and damaging to public trust. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar described India’s electoral roll preparation as “one of the most rigorous and transparent in the world,” stressing that all political parties have access to voter data and can raise objections at multiple stages.
The BJP has also rejected Gandhi’s claims, calling them an excuse for electoral defeats.
Despite the pushback, Gandhi says he will continue to pursue the matter, promising to release detailed evidence from what he claims is a months-long investigation into voting irregularities.
“This is not about a party winning or losing,” he said. “It is about protecting the foundations of our democracy.”
The dispute adds to a growing national debate over electoral reforms, transparency, and public confidence in India’s democratic institutions — a conversation likely to intensify as future elections approach.
