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India Gazette
30 minutes ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Rahul Gandhi has already accepted defeat in Bihar elections": Union Minister Chirag Paswan
Patna (Bihar) [India], June 8 (ANI): Reacting to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's recent statements on elections, Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Sunday said that the Congress MP has already accepted defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections which is why he is making such statements. Paswan further said that if Rahul Gandhi needs to find faults in any institution, it should be his own party Congress. '... The problem with Congress and its leaders is that when introspection is needed, they look for excuses for losing elections... If Rahul Gandhi needs to find faults in any institution, it should not be a constitutional institution, but his own Congress party... Blaming the Election Commission, accusing someone of fixing elections, saying that the EVM is faulty, all this shows that Rahul Gandhi has already accepted defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections... After Bihar, these people will lose states like Assam and Bengal,' Chirag Paswan told reporters. Bihar assembly polls will be held later this year. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar assembly LoP, Tejashwi Yadav, strongly backed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing the BJP of hijacking constitutional institutions under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rule. Speaking to the mediapersons on Sunday, Tejashwi said, 'Ever since Narendra Modi has become the Prime Minister, all constitutional institutions have been hijacked. Before the ECI announces the elections, the BJP IT Cell knows the schedule. We have our eyes on everything. The constitutional institutions must carry out their duties honestly... Everyone needs to stay alert. Everyone knows that all institutions work as a proxy of the BJP.' 'Everyone is working together, not to form the government, but to strengthen Bihar,' he added. Earlier on Saturday, in a post on X, Rahul Gandhi, who is Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, referred to the ECI's response to his allegations concerning Maharashtra polls and said 'releasing unsigned, evasive notes to intermediaries is not the way to respond to serious questions'. In response, ECI described Rahul Gandhi's Maharashtra election poll rigging as 'unsubstantiated allegations.' 'Unsubstantiated allegations raised against the Electoral Rolls of Maharashtra are affront to the rule of law. The Election Commission had brought out all these facts in its reply to the INC on 24th December 2024 itself, which is available on ECI's website. It appears that all these facts are completely being ignored while raising such issues again and again,' it said. 'Any misinformation being spread, by anyone, is not only a sign of disrespect towards the Law, but also brings disrepute to the thousands of representatives appointed by their own political party and demotivates lakhs of election staff who work untiringly and transparently during elections. After any unfavourable verdict by the voters, trying to defame the Election Commission by saying that it is compromised, is completely absurd,' it added. (ANI)
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP replying to Rahul's Maharashtra poll questions instead of EC confirms match-fixing: Chennithala
BJP leaders replying to Rahul Gandhi's questions on the 2024 Maharashtra polls instead of the Election Commission of India confirms the "match-fixing" charge, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said on Sunday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fandavis' article, with facts and figures to refute Gandhi's claims, was published in Indian Express and Marathi daily Loksatta during the day. Earlier, top BJP leaders, including party chief JP Nadda, had slammed Gandhi for casting aspersions on the country's electoral process. "BJP leaders are replying on behalf of the Election Commission, which is concerning. It only confirms that match-fixing did take place. Rahul Gandhi, in his detailed article, has exposed how the Maharashtra assembly elections were marred by fraud, manipulation, and a systematic violation of the people's mandate amounting to a brutal assault on democracy," Chennithala said in a statement. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jlo's Daughter Steals The Show With Her Mom's Iconic Green Dress CleverClassic Undo by Taboola by Taboola The ECI must respond to serious questions raised by Gandhi, who has exposed a "disturbing truth", Chennithala said while asserting the happenings related to the state polls were not accidental but a meticulously-planned operation. "Maharashtra, once a beacon of democratic values, is now witnessing a deep erosion of those values. The Congress has been consistently following up with the Election Commission, but so far, the responses have been superficial and unsatisfactory," the AICC in-charge for the state said. Live Events Chennithala said when the Chandigarh High Court ordered release of CCTV footage in connection with the Haryana assembly polls, the Union government, with help from the EC, changed the rules and blocked that information. "Why was that done? And for whose benefit?" he asked. The Maharashtra polls involved manipulation in the voter list, large-scale bogus voting and artificial inflation of vote percentages, Chennithala alleged. "In the Lok Sabha election, Congress and its allies won a sweeping mandate. Then how could the outcome reverse so drastically within just five months? This reeks of electoral fraud," he said. The refusal to conduct a mock drill in Markadwadi (where some people sought a repoll after alleging EVM manipulation) itself is a sign that something was being hidden, he added. The BJP and EC are trying to hide the truth but the Congress will pursue it relentlessly till democratic integrity is restored, Chennithala asserted.
News18
2 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
‘You Never Learn...': Fadnavis' Rhyme-Laced Jibe At Rahul Gandhi On Rigged Polls Claims
Last Updated: Rahul Gandhi ignited a political row after he claimed that a systematic method was used to influence the Maharashtra election outcome in favour of BJP. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday took a subtle yet sharp rebuke at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after he claimed 'match-fixing" in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections saying that Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha has made the same mistake throughout his entire life. While speaking to reporters in Pune, Fadnavis took a poetic jibe at Gandhi and said, ' Ta-umr Rahul Gandhi aap yahi galti karte rahe, dhool chehre pe thi aur aap aina saaf karte rahe (Throughout your life, Rahul Gandhi, you have always made the same mistake; The dust was on your face, but you kept cleaning the mirror)." #WATCH | Pune | Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says, ''Ta-umr Rahul Gandhi aap yahi galti karte rahe, dhool chehre pe thi aur aap aina saaf karte rahe' (Throughout your life, Rahul Gandhi, you have always made the same mistake; The dust was on your face, but you… — ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2025 Earlier today, he called the allegations 'nonsense," a 'lie," and 'an insult to voters." In an article written for a Marathi daily, Fadnavis said the 'one whom the public rejects, rejects the mandate." 'If you cannot convince people, then confuse them. This is the policy that Rahul Gandhi is adopting," Fadnavis said. He further said the Congress has been rejected by the people, which is why they are now tarnishing the image of democracy by blaming the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). 'It has now become a habit for the opposition parties to raise questions on the EVM in every election in Maharashtra. All petitions against the EVM have been dismissed by the Supreme Court," he added. Fadnavis also said that Gandhi is a leader 'who cannot accept failure". 'Are EVMs right in the elections in which the Congress government wins?" he asked. 'Respect the mandate. The public is watching everyone. Now, excuses will not work, and the accountability will be fixed," he concluded. What Rahul Gandhi Claimed? Rahul Gandhi ignited a political row after he claimed that a systematic method was used to influence the Maharashtra election outcome in favour of BJP. In a post on X, the grand-old party leader summarised the key points of an article he wrote for The Indian Express, where he described the so-called electoral manipulation. In his article, Gandhi outlined a five-step process he claimed was used to tilt the Maharashtra election. 'Step 1: Rig the panel for appointing the Election Commission Step 2: Add fake voters to the roll Step 3: Inflate voter turnout Step 4: Target the bogus voting exactly where BJP needs to win Step 5: Hide the evidence," the Leader of Opposition wrote in his post. 'It's not hard to see why the BJP was so desperate in Maharashtra," Gandhi wrote in his post. 'But rigging is like match-fixing – the side that cheats might win the game, but damages institutions and destroy public faith in the result." 'All concerned Indians must see the evidence. Judge for themselves. Demand answers," Gandhi added. He also warned that what happened in Maharashtra could be repeated elsewhere. 'The match-fixing of Maharashtra will come to Bihar next, and then anywhere the BJP is losing," he said, calling match-fixed elections are a 'poison" for any democracy. ECI's Rebuttal The ECI responded to the Lok Sabha LoP's allegations with a point wise rebuttal, stating that 'facts are completely being ignored." 'Unsubstantiated allegations raised against the Electoral Rolls of Maharashtra are an affront to the rule of law. The Election Commission had brought out all these facts in its reply to the INC on 24th December 2024 itself, which is available on ECI's website. It appears that all these facts are being completely ignored while raising such issues again and again," the ECI said. Maharashtra Elections The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance had scored a massive and astonishing victory over Maha Vikas Aghadi in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The unprecedented electoral sweep is a record win as no alliance has ever crossed the magic mark of 200 seats in the Maharashtra polls. The ruling Mahayuti had won 234 of the 288 seats in the Maharashtra elections, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party, winning 132 seats on its own. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Devendra Fadnavis election commission Maharashtra elections Rahul Gandhi Location : Pune, India, India First Published: June 08, 2025, 16:55 IST
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Rahul Gandhi has already accepted defeat in Bihar elections: Union Minister Chirag Paswan
Patna (Bihar) [India], June 8 (ANI): Reacting to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi 's recent statements on elections, Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Sunday said that the Congress MP has already accepted defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections which is why he is making such statements. Paswan further said that if Rahul Gandhi needs to find faults in any institution, it should be his own party Congress. "... The problem with Congress and its leaders is that when introspection is needed, they look for excuses for losing elections... If Rahul Gandhi needs to find faults in any institution, it should not be a constitutional institution, but his own Congress party ... Blaming the Election Commission, accusing someone of fixing elections, saying that the EVM is faulty, all this shows that Rahul Gandhi has already accepted defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections... After Bihar, these people will lose states like Assam and Bengal," Chirag Paswan told reporters. Bihar assembly polls will be held later this year. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar assembly LoP, Tejashwi Yadav , strongly backed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing the BJP of hijacking constitutional institutions under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rule. Live Events Speaking to the mediapersons on Sunday, Tejashwi said, "Ever since Narendra Modi has become the Prime Minister, all constitutional institutions have been hijacked. Before the ECI announces the elections, the BJP IT Cell knows the schedule. We have our eyes on everything. The constitutional institutions must carry out their duties honestly... Everyone needs to stay alert. Everyone knows that all institutions work as a proxy of the BJP." "Everyone is working together, not to form the government, but to strengthen Bihar," he added. Earlier on Saturday, in a post on X, Rahul Gandhi, who is Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, referred to the ECI's response to his allegations concerning Maharashtra polls and said "releasing unsigned, evasive notes to intermediaries is not the way to respond to serious questions". In response, ECI described Rahul Gandhi's Maharashtra election poll rigging as "unsubstantiated allegations." "Unsubstantiated allegations raised against the Electoral Rolls of Maharashtra are affront to the rule of law. The Election Commission had brought out all these facts in its reply to the INC on 24th December 2024 itself, which is available on ECI's website. It appears that all these facts are completely being ignored while raising such issues again and again," it said. "Any misinformation being spread, by anyone, is not only a sign of disrespect towards the Law, but also brings disrepute to the thousands of representatives appointed by their own political party and demotivates lakhs of election staff who work untiringly and transparently during elections. After any unfavourable verdict by the voters, trying to defame the Election Commission by saying that it is compromised, is completely absurd," it added.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘They look for excuses': Chirag Paswan slams Rahul Gandhi amid EC row, says LoP has 'accepted defeat' in Bihar polls
File photo: Union minister Chirag Paswan and LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi (Picture credit: ANI) NEW DELHI: Union minister Chirag Paswan on Sunday claimed that Congress MP and leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi , has already conceded defeat in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections , citing Gandhi's recent remarks targeting the Election Commission of India (ECI). Speaking to reporters, Paswan accused Gandhi of deflecting blame and targeting constitutional bodies instead of holding his own party accountable. "The problem with Congress and its leaders is that when introspection is needed, they look for excuses for losing elections," Paswan said, as quoted by the news agency ANI. "If Rahul Gandhi needs to find faults in any institution, it should not be a constitutional institution, but his own Congress party. Blaming the Election Commission, accusing someone of fixing elections, saying that the EVM is faulty, all this shows that Rahul Gandhi has already accepted defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections. " Bihar will go to the polls later this year. Paswan further predicted that after Bihar, the opposition will suffer defeats in Assam and West Bengal as well. Meanwhile, RJD leader and Bihar's leader of opposition, Tejashwi Yadav , came out in strong support of Gandhi. Speaking in Patna, Yadav accused the BJP of compromising constitutional institutions, claiming, "Ever since Narendra Modi has become the Prime Minister, all constitutional institutions have been hijacked. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Windows Users Don't Forget To Do This Before Sunday Read More Undo Before the ECI announces the elections, the BJP IT Cell knows the schedule." Tejashwi said the opposition's efforts were not just about power. "Everyone is working together, not to form the government, but to strengthen Bihar," he added, backing Gandhi's criticism of the ECI. Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had on Saturday posted on X criticising the ECI's response to his allegations of rigging in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. He wrote, 'Dear EC, You are a Constitutional body. Releasing unsigned, evasive notes to intermediaries is not the way to respond to serious questions.' He urged the Commission to publish machine-readable electoral rolls and release all CCTV footage from polling booths post-5 pm to ensure transparency. 'Evasion won't protect your credibility. Telling the truth will,' he wrote. The ECI later dismissed Gandhi's remarks, calling his allegations "unsubstantiated" and an 'affront to the rule of law.' The Commission said that all relevant facts had been shared with the Congress party in December 2024 and are publicly available. The poll panel warned that spreading misinformation disrespects the law and demotivates lakhs of honest poll workers. 'After any unfavourable verdict by the voters, trying to defame the Election Commission... is completely absurd,' the Commission said in a detailed statement. In his op-ed titled Match-fixing Maharashtra, Gandhi had alleged that the state elections were a 'blueprint for rigging democracy', involving fake voters, inflated turnout, targeted bogus voting, and concealed evidence.
