Rahul Gandhi Targets Election Commission Over Bihar Voter List
NEW DELHI: Congress leader and Lok Sabha opposition chief Rahul Gandhi launched a fresh attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging bias in its functioning during Bihar’s voter list revision. Speaking at the ongoing Voter Adhikar Yatra in Araria on Sunday, Gandhi said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has become an “institutionalised way” of voter fraud in the state.
He accused the ECI of working hand in hand with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “In Bihar, SIR is an institutionalised way for vote theft. Lakhs of voters’ names were deleted. The Opposition is complaining, but the BJP has not complained even once because there is a partnership between the Election Commission, the Election Commissioner, and the BJP,” Gandhi alleged.
The Congress leader further claimed that the exercise had resulted in wrongful deletions from the electoral rolls. “We are finding people in Bihar who are alive but have been declared dead in the voter list. Even children are saying ‘vote chor, gaddi chhod’. The Election Commission should listen to them,” he remarked.
Public Response to the Yatra
The Voter Adhikar Yatra, launched to highlight alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, has reportedly drawn significant public participation. Gandhi said the campaign was connecting with people “organically and naturally,” reflecting widespread anger over “vote chori” in Bihar.
“The Yatra has been very successful and people are joining in large numbers. What we said about vote theft is being accepted by the people of Bihar. The Election Commission’s job is to maintain a proper voter list, but it has failed to do so in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Karnataka as well. We will not stop until the EC changes its behaviour. We will not allow vote theft in Bihar,” Gandhi declared.
Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of orchestrating manipulations, Gandhi said, “PM Modi wants to steal the votes of the poor through SIR in Bihar.”
Tejashwi Yadav Echoes Allegations
Sharing the stage with Gandhi, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav backed the Congress leader’s charges. He claimed the ECI was siding with the BJP, especially after the passing of the 130th Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament.
“The Election Commission is standing with the BJP. That is why this government brought the 130th amendment. The Chief Election Commissioner is being protected so that no legal case can be filed against him,” Yadav alleged.
When asked about Union minister Chirag Paswan’s remarks, Yadav dismissed them as irrelevant. “We want discussions on real issues. Chirag Paswan is neither an issue nor does the public ask about him. I would like to advise him, as my elder brother, to get married soon,” he quipped. Gandhi responded with humour, adding, “That is applicable to me as well.”
Opposition’s Larger Strategy
Political observers note that the Voter Adhikar Yatra is designed to rally opposition support ahead of elections in Bihar, while keeping the issue of electoral transparency in focus. Both Congress and RJD appear determined to keep voter roll irregularities at the centre of their campaign.
Gandhi’s repeated charge of “institutionalised vote theft” seeks to build a narrative of compromised democracy under the current government. Meanwhile, the BJP has yet to respond to the allegations, while the Election Commission has not issued a statement on the claims raised.