BJP Hits Back at Rahul Gandhi's Election Manipulation Claims

BJP leaders have launched a vigorous counterattack on Rahul Gandhi after the Congress leader accused the Election Commission of siding with the BJP in manipulating the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

BJP MPs Ravi Kishan and Rajiv Pratap Rudy, joined by Shiv Sena's Naresh Mhaske, vehemently refuted Gandhi's 'vote theft' allegations concerning Karnataka's Mahadevapura constituency, criticizing him for undermining the constitution and democracy. Kishan urged Gandhi to examine historical instances of electoral malpractice during Indira Gandhi's tenure, emphasizing that complaints only arise in constituencies where Congress loses.

Ravi Kishan argued, "If foul tactics were employed, BJP would dominate all states. Rahul Gandhi's inconsistency is baffling; he complains about fake voters and voter removal without clarity." Rudy advised Gandhi to address his grievances with the Election Commission, who had requested specifics about allegedly missing voters. Mhaske echoed these sentiments, accusing the opposition of disrespecting voters who elected them, following Gandhi's August 7 claims that the EC choreographed the polls to the BJP's advantage despite expected anti-incumbency trends. Presenting Congress's internal analysis, Gandhi highlighted unexpected losses in Karnataka, especially in Mahadevapura, alleging significant "vote chori" (vote theft), but BJP maintains these claims are unfounded.

(With inputs from agencies.)