New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, currently on a visit to the United States, has stirred political controversy back home after alleging that India’s Election Commission was “compromised” during the Maharashtra assembly elections. Speaking at an event in Boston, Gandhi claimed there were significant irregularities in the voter turnout figures, raising questions about the electoral process.
“There’s something very wrong with the system,” Gandhi said while addressing members of the Indian diaspora. “More people voted in Maharashtra than the total number of people in the state. Between 5:30 and 7:30 pm, 65 lakh new votes were added, which is physically impossible,” he claimed.
He further stated that the Election Commission gave one set of numbers earlier in the day, which changed dramatically within two hours. “It’s very clear to us that the Election Commission is compromised,” he added.
Gandhi also spoke about India’s relationship with the United States, expressing hope that the two countries would continue to work closely. “We have a partnership with the US, and hopefully we will continue to work together,” he said. He thanked the overseas Congress supporters for representing the party’s values abroad, calling it a “powerful thing to do.”
BJP Responds: ‘Insulting India on Foreign Soil’
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks prompted swift backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused him of defaming Indian democratic institutions on international platforms. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla termed the US visit a “Bharat Badnam Yatra,” accusing Gandhi of consistently disrespecting the Constitution and the nation while abroad.
“From being anti-Modi, he has now become anti-India,” Poonawalla said in a video message. “This is not criticism—it’s character assassination of India’s democracy.”
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar also questioned Gandhi’s intent, saying, “Where Congress wins, the EVMs are fine. Where they lose, they attack the Election Commission.”
BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan echoed similar sentiments, stating: “Rahul Gandhi has once again launched an ‘India Abuse Yatra’. He is spreading falsehoods about India’s electoral process, even as global leaders like Donald Trump have praised our system.”
Sambit Patra also weighed in, questioning Gandhi’s credibility: “A family out on bail wants to lecture us on democracy. He says the EC is compromised—was it compromised when Congress won in Jharkhand or Ayodhya?”
Shiv Sena Joins the Chorus
The Shiv Sena also condemned Gandhi’s statements. “He always talks negatively about the country. We don’t know whether he’s Indian or Italian,” said Sena leader Raju Waghmare. “If he continues speaking against Veer Savarkar and India’s image, we’ll ensure he can’t freely roam the country.”
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