‘A clean voter roll is imperative for free and fair elections': Rahul Gandhi
The Congress MP linked his stand to a fight to "protect" democracy.
"Vote Chori is an attack on the foundational idea of 'one man, one vote'. A clean voter roll is imperative for free and fair elections. Our demand from the EC is clear - be transparent and release digital voter rolls so that people and parties can audit them. This fight is to protect our democracy," the Congress MP posted on X.
Meanwhile, the Congress party said that it will hold a meeting of its general secretaries, in-charges, and frontal organisation heads on August 11 to discuss a nationwide campaign against "voter list manipulation and election fraud.
"The party is also opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, along with other partners of the INDIA bloc."Just as Bapu gave us the 'Do or Die' call during the Quit India movement, we today must embark upon a similar do-or-die mission to save Indian democracy. To discuss the party's further nationwide campaign against voter list manipulation and election fraud, as exposed by LOP Sh. @RahulGandhi ji, a meeting of AICC General Secretaries, In-charges, and Frontal Organisation Heads will be held on 11th August at 4:30 PM at 24 Akbar Road, presided over by INC President Sh. Mallikarjun @kharge ji," Congress general secretary KC Venugopal wrote in a post on X on Friday.
On August 7, Rahul Gandhi held a press conference, citing internal analysis. The LoP stated that the Congress expected to win 16 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka but ended up with only nine.
He said the Congress investigated seven unexpected losses, zeroing in on Mahadevapura, where he alleged vote theft involving 100,250 votes. Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) of 100,250 votes.
"Our internal polling told us we would win 16 seats in Karnataka; we won nine. We then focused on seven unexpected losses. We focused on Mahadevapur... All data is 2024 data from the Election Commission; the total votes polled in the Lok Sabha were 6.26 lakhs. The BJP won with 658,915, securing a margin of 32,707. But then we look at Mahadevapura, where Congress polls 115,586 and BJP polls 229,632. Congress wins all Vidhan Sabhas but this one," the Congress leader said.
"We found 100,250 votes stolen in five different ways. Duplicate voters, fake and invalid addresses, and bulk voters in a single address, in a building with 50-60 people living. But when we go there, there is no record of those people living there. One family living in that house," he said.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday has again asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to either give a declaration as per the rules or apologise to the country for his "false" allegations regarding the voter lists.
"Rahul Gandhi should either give a Declaration as per rules or apologise to the country for his false allegations," ECI said in a statement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
24 minutes ago
- Economic Times
'Sab ke boss to hum hain…': Rajnath Singh's veiled dig at Trump over tariffs, saying "some" are jealous of India's rapid growth
Synopsis Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took a subtle dig at US President Donald Trump over recent tariffs on Indian goods, accusing global powers of jealousy and trying to disrupt India's rapid economic growth. Speaking at a bhoomi pujan ceremony for a new rail coach factory in Madhya Pradesh, Singh praised India's dynamic economy and highlighted its rise to a top-four global economy since 2014. He also emphasised India's growing defence exports and condemned terrorism, affirming India's strong stance against those who threaten the nation. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took a subtle dig at US President Donald Trump on Sunday over the recent tariff increases on Indian goods. Without naming Trump, Singh said, "Some 'boss' is jealous, unable to accept India's growth; trying to disrupt the country's economy."He added, "There are some people who are not happy with the speed at which India is developing. They are not liking it. 'Sabke boss toh hum hain' (We are everyone's boss), how is India growing so fast?"These remarks came after the US imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods and an additional 25% penalty due to India's continued purchase of Russian oil. President Trump also threatened more tariff hikes, called India's economy 'dead,' and New Delhi criticised the US after some aides accused India of supporting Russia's war in Singh described India's economy as the world's most 'dashing and dynamic.' He said that some people with the attitude of 'we are everyone's boss' are unhappy with India's rapid growth. Speaking after a bhoomi pujan (groundbreaking ceremony) of a rail coach manufacturing unit of Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh, Singh said, 'Today, if any country has a dashing and dynamic economy, it is India's economy.' He said no global power can stop India from becoming a big power due to the speed at which the country is moving pointed out that some people want to make Indian products more expensive when they reach other countries. This would stop people worldwide from buying Indian goods. He said, 'They think that we are everyone's boss and how is India moving forward so fast?'He mentioned that in 2014, India was ranked 11th in terms of economy size, but today it is counted among the top four.'If any country has a rapidly growing economy, it is our India,' he said. 'It means that the country is moving forward and its people are also moving ahead, because if the countrymen do not move forward, India cannot move forward.'Singh also spoke about defence production. Earlier, India bought defence equipment from other countries. But now, many things are made in India by Indian hands. India not only fulfils its own needs but also exports defence products to other said, 'When Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, only Rs 600 crore worth of defence products were exported. Now, we are exporting defence products worth more than Rs 24,000 crore. This is the power of India. This is the new defence sector of the new India.'Singh also referred to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in April, where 26 people were killed. He said India responded strongly with Operation Sindoor. He said terrorists killed people after asking their religion, but India does not believe in such killings.'We do not even kill ants,' he said. 'We have resolved that we will kill people (terrorists) not by their religion but by their deeds.'He added, 'India will not spare anyone who instigates us.'On the rail coach unit, Singh said it would be a big gift for Raisen and Vidisha regions in Madhya Pradesh and provide jobs for 5,000 said Madhya Pradesh is rapidly developing in industries, having recently received investment proposals of more than Rs 30 lakh crore.'If the leadership is excellent, development happens rapidly. I think that after a few years, people will start calling Madhya Pradesh a modern state,' he said the area around the rail coach unit would also develop quickly once it is he performed the bhoomi pujan for the BEML rail coach unit at Umaria village in Raisen district. The project is called BRAHMA (BEML Rail Hub for Manufacturing) and will cost Rs 1,800 crore. Its initial capacity will be 125 to 200 coaches a year, which is planned to increase to 1,100 coaches a year in five Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and other officials attended the ceremony. A video message from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was also shown. Inputs from agencies
The Hindu
24 minutes ago
- The Hindu
DPR ready for Bhadrachalam–Kovvur railway line
Eluru MP Putta Mahesh Kumar has announced that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the long-awaited Bhadrachalam–Kovvur railway line has been prepared and that work on the project is expected to commence soon. Speaking to the media on Sunday, the MP recalled raising the issue in the Lok Sabha during the last Parliament budget session on April 2, 2025, urging Union Railway Minister to expedite the project. He said that the residents of Chintalapudi and Polavaram Assembly constituencies under the Eluru Lok Sabha jurisdiction, along with people from Gopalapuram and Kovvur constituencies in the erstwhile West Godavari district, have been waiting for this railway line for many years. 'It is a matter of great happiness that the works are now about to begin,' he said. The proposed 118.9-km railway line, will be taken up at an estimated cost of ₹1,695.71 crore. It will run from Sattupalli via Ashwaraopet, Jangareddygudem, and Devarapalli to Kovvur. The Andhra Pradesh government has requested the Railway Ministry to bear the entire project cost. Once completed, the line will shorten the distance between Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad by more than 100 km. Mr. Mahesh Kumar said: 'This project has been my top priority for the past year. On behalf of the people of Eluru I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Konidela Pawan Kalyan, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and State Minister Nara Lokesh for their support.' He also thanked the Railway Minister for acting on the assurance given in Parliament. The MP expressed hope that the DPR, already submitted by the railway authorities, will be approved soon so that work can commence without delay.
The Hindu
24 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Har Ghar Tiranga rally flagged off in Hubballi
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi flagged off a Har Ghar Tiranga bike rally in Hubballi on Sunday. Holding the National Flag, he pillion-rode for a short distance at Gopanakoppa in Hubballi. A large number of BJP workers and youths participated in the bike rally. The rally, which started from Gopanakoppa in Hubballi, ended at Rani Chennamma Circle. Mr. Joshi garlanded the statue of Kittur Rani Channamma. He also honoured some ex-servicemen and soldiers. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a call to every citizen to join in the Independence Day celebrations by hoisting the National Flag on top of their houses on August 15. MLA Mahesh Tenginkai, party leaders Tippanna Majjagi, Raju Kale, Ashok Valmiki and others were present.
