Rahul Gandhi Accuses CEC Gyanesh Kumar of Shielding ‘Vote Theft’
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 18th Sept: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of siding with those undermining Indian democracy and protecting forces allegedly involved in large-scale vote manipulation.
Addressing a press conference in the capital, Gandhi claimed he would soon place before the nation “black-and-white proof” that votes were being systematically deleted and added across states to the detriment of the Congress party.
‘Milestone in Exposing Rigged Elections’
Calling it a defining moment in exposing the functioning of the Election Commission, Gandhi said, “This is another milestone in setting up and demonstrating to the youth of this country how elections are being rigged. I am going to make a strong claim about CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The EC of India is protecting those who have destroyed Indian democracy.”
Gandhi further alleged that Kumar was shielding individuals and networks responsible for what he described as “vote chori” (vote theft). He reiterated that the evidence his party would present was “black and white” and left no room for confusion.
Not My Job, But Forced To Act: Rahul Gandhi
Responding to a question on how the CEC might benefit from the alleged irregularities, Gandhi said the responsibility of safeguarding Indian democracy lay with institutions, not with political leaders.
“Frankly, what I am doing here is not my job. My work is to participate in a democratic process. The task of protecting democracy is that of the country’s institutions. But because they are not doing it, I am having to. When we finish all our presentations, there will be no doubt that state after state, there has been vote chori in elections,” he said.
Insider Information From Within EC
Gandhi also made the startling claim that the Congress was now receiving inputs from individuals within the Election Commission itself. “We are getting information from inside the EC. This won’t stop. People of India will not accept this vote theft,” he asserted.
While Gandhi did not immediately reveal documentary evidence at the press briefing, he promised that his party would soon present detailed proof of how votes were being added and deleted using questionable methods.
Opposition vs Election Commission
The attack marks a significant escalation in the Opposition’s campaign against the Election Commission, which has faced criticism in recent years over its handling of electoral rolls, alleged partisan conduct, and failure to ensure free and fair elections. By directly naming the Chief Election Commissioner, Gandhi has intensified the political debate and drawn fresh attention to the neutrality of the poll body ahead of upcoming state elections.
Political observers note that Gandhi’s aggressive stance reflects the Congress party’s larger strategy of questioning institutional independence under the current regime. However, the Election Commission has so far refrained from responding to the allegations.
Implications Ahead
The controversy is expected to dominate political discourse in the coming weeks, particularly as several states prepare for polls. Gandhi’s remarks could also rally Opposition parties to close ranks on the issue of electoral integrity, potentially setting the stage for a broader confrontation between political forces and the Election Commission.
