Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that every sixth Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) in the Lok Sabha has secured his or her seat through ‘vote chori’. He further questioned whether these MPs should be labelled ‘ghuspethiya’, a term frequently used by the BJP itself.
Gandhi’s remarks came amidst heightened political tensions as the opposition challenges the credibility of recent elections. He stated that under fair electoral conditions, the BJP would struggle to win even 140 seats in the Lok Sabha.
“Through vote theft, sometimes individual seats are stolen, and at other times, an entire government,” Gandhi posted on X, referring to social media. “Of the 240 BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha, roughly every sixth MP secured their seat through vote chori.”
This statement underscores the Congress party’s strategy to challenge the ruling party’s legitimacy. Gandhi further elaborated, suggesting that it is not difficult to identify these MPs, and questioned if they should be termed ‘ghuspethiya’ based on the BJP’s own rhetoric.
“What about Haryana? The entire government there is an ‘ghuspethiya,’” he added. Gandhi accused the BJP of manipulating institutions that manage the electoral process, claiming they distort voter lists and hinder fair elections, calling these practices “remote-controlled.”
He emphatically expressed, “Their real fear is the truth. For if fair elections were to be held, they would not be able to win even 140 seats today.” This statement reflects a growing sentiment among opposition leaders that the electoral process under the current regime lacks transparency.
Previously, on Tuesday, Gandhi criticized the BJP’s victories in Bengal and Assam assembly polls, labeling them as “theft of the mandate.” He described these wins as part of the BJP’s objective to “destroy” Indian democracy through unfair practices.
In light of the recent electoral results, Gandhi extended his support for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), a party that faced significant losses against the BJP. He urged party members and followers not to gloat over TMC’s defeat, emphasizing that the issue transcends individual parties.
“Some in Congress and others are gloating over TMC’s loss. They need to understand this clearly—the theft of Assam and Bengal’s mandate marks a significant step forward by the BJP in its mission to destroy Indian democracy,” he stated in a post on X.
In a call for unity, he urged political stakeholders to set aside petty politics. “This is not about one party or another. This is about India,” Gandhi declared, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort to uphold democratic values in the country.
The BJP recently ousted the Trinamool Congress from power in West Bengal and secured victory for the third consecutive term in Assam, results that have sparked widespread debate and dissent among opposition parties.
Political analysts suggest that Gandhi’s statements may resonate with a significant portion of the electorate disillusioned by the current political landscape. The discussion surrounding electoral integrity and transparency remains paramount as the country heads towards future elections.
