From ‘vote chori’ to ‘dimag chori’: Congress and BJP clash over allegations against EC

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging “vote theft”, have triggered a heated exchange of words between the ruling BJP and its alliance, and opposition parties.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said on Thursday (September 18) that Indian youth would save the Constitution and protect democracy.

“The youth, students and generation Z of the country will save the Constitution, protect democracy and end vote theft. I am always with them. Jai Hind,” Gandhi had written in a message on X (formerly Twitter). Earlier in the day, he also presented new cases of vote theft, alleging that EC was actively trying to destroy democracy.

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Reacting to Gandhi’s claims, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said it was not a matter of ‘vote chori’ but was happening because of Rahul Gandhi’s ‘dimag chori (brain stealing)’, further comparing him to a ‘Maoist’.

“Gandhi asked Gen Z to unite to topple a democratically elected government. This is not a ‘vote chori’, but Rahul Gandhi’s brain has been stolen. He has no faith in the Constitution and rejects institutions. He spoke like an ‘urban Maoist’ saying Gen Z should unite to topple a democratically elected government,” Fadnavis told reporters.

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BJP leader and UP MP Brajesh Pathak said, “Every time he (Rahul Gandhi) wins an election, he praises the Election Commission. In Bihar, he sees a potential defeat and makes baseless allegations that make no sense.

However, backing Gandhi’s claims, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said, “Everyone should remain vigilant. Four lakh names have been made public in Bihar through Form 6 with the Election Commission. 27% of new voters are under 20 years old. A centenarian becomes a voter for the first time.

“Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi asked all questions to the Election Commission. So why is the BJP so upset? Gyanesh Kumar’s nerves are strained and the BJP is feeling the pain. What is the BJP’s connection with this issue? If they are not involved in this, then they should also join us in saying that if something goes wrong, it must be investigated,” she added, according to ANI.

Similar ideas were echoed by CPN-SP MP Supriya Sule, who asked why political parties are worried about Gandhi’s claims against the EC.

“In a strong democracy, everyone has the right to express themselves. Rahul Gandhi gave a thorough presentation of the data. These allegations are not aimed at the BJP or anyone else, but at the Election Commission. Why are political parties concerned? They are not accused at all. The Election Commission is an independent body; it will respond to these allegations,” Sule told reporters.

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Votes against Rahul Gandhi

NCP MP Praful Patel told ANI: “Is he trying to create anarchy in this country? Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar gave us the right to vote, through which many governments have come and gone in the last 75 years. Anyone who speaks like this is speaking, in some way, against the country, and such a person has no right to remain in his position.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “I don’t know what he is trying to say. We are the largest democracy in the world. Is it our fault that people are not voting for him? He is making absurd statements and comparing us to Nepal and Sri Lanka… He thinks that if he cannot come to power democratically, then he will use alternative routes… The roots of democracy in India go back ages immemorial… People don’t like his call for anarchy…”

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BJP MP Kangana Ranaut likened Gandhi to “the toppled dynasties of Nepal” saying, “Rahul Gandhi has always made statements that shame the country. He calls on GenZ to protest, implying that the Nepali model should be implemented here, but he should know that in Nepal, Gen Z overthrew a dynastic government…Rahul Gandhi should know that dynasts like him were overthrown. in Nepal and democracy was established…”

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