Rahul Gandhi Alleges Election Commission Is Compromised During U.S. Visit
During his ongoing tour of the United States, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reignited concerns about India’s electoral integrity by alleging that the Election Commission of India has been compromised. Speaking at a public event in Boston, Gandhi referred to the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, claiming a highly irregular voter turnout pattern as evidence of manipulation.
According to Gandhi, an “impossible” surge of 6.5 million votes was recorded within a two-hour window between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM on election day. He argued that such a spike defied logistical plausibility and suggested coordinated tampering. “More people voted in Maharashtra than the total number of people in Maharashtra, and this is a fact,” he declared, adding that the system was being undermined from within.
His comments have sparked fresh political debate, especially as the nation heads toward general elections. Gandhi’s assertion that the Election Commission lacks independence adds to growing apprehensions over the integrity of democratic institutions in the country.
Election Commission Denies Allegations
In response to the claims, the Election Commission strongly denied any wrongdoing, pointing to the transparency of the voter registration process. Officials noted that during the most recent voter list revision, the number of disputes and appeals in Maharashtra was minimal, indicating broad acceptance of the electoral rolls. The Commission also emphasized the scale of the process, with over 13 million Booth Level Agents deployed nationwide to verify the accuracy of voter data.
Despite the denial, Gandhi’s remarks are expected to resonate among opposition ranks, who have increasingly accused constitutional bodies of being influenced by the ruling establishment.
Gandhi Reaffirms Congress Ideals Abroad
While his voter fraud allegations took center stage, Gandhi also used his U.S. visit to connect with the Indian diaspora and reiterate the Congress party’s ideological values. Addressing the crowd, he praised the diaspora for fostering values of openness, dialogue, and respect — qualities he said are foundational to the Congress party.
“You believe, you listen to other people, and you respect them. This is what runs in the Congress party and in our family,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.
Gandhi is scheduled to speak next at Brown University, where he is expected to continue engaging with global audiences on democracy, governance, and the role of opposition in contemporary India. As the 2024 general elections approach, his comments may set the tone for an increasingly contentious campaign season.
