GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 18th Sept: In an explosive charge that has escalated tensions between the Opposition and the Election Commission, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar of aiding “vote theft” and shielding what he called the “murderers of democracy.”
At a press briefing in New Delhi, Gandhi presented alleged evidence from the Aland constituency in Karnataka’s 2023 Assembly elections, claiming that voter deletions and additions were carried out in a planned, centralised manner, targeting Dalits, minorities, Adivasis, and OBC voters—particularly those who traditionally back the Congress.
Rahul Gandhi’s Charge: ‘Proof in Black and White’
“Today, we present a milestone investigation that demonstrates to the youth of this country how elections are being manipulated. I will make a strong claim about CEC Gyanesh Kumar. I have strong proof—proof that is clear, black and white. The Chief Election Commissioner is protecting the people who are destroying India’s democracy,” Gandhi said.
The Congress leader demanded that the Election Commission release forms, OTP trails, and relevant logs within a week. “If he refuses, we will know for sure that Gyanesh Kumar is protecting those undermining our democracy,” he added.
Aland Case: ‘Hijacked Applications and Deleted Votes’
Citing the Aland constituency, Gandhi alleged that 6,018 votes were targeted for deletion. In one case, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) discovered her uncle’s vote had been deleted without his knowledge. Applications, he claimed, were filed impersonating real people, using software and mobile numbers from outside Karnataka.
He highlighted the case of a voter named Suryakanth, in whose name 12 deletion applications were filed within 14 minutes. “I challenge anyone to fill two such applications in 38 seconds. Even the timestamps are questionable—they were filed at 4 in the morning,” Gandhi remarked.
Centralised Operation, CID Probe Stonewalled
According to Gandhi, the process resembled a call-centre-style operation, centrally managed and designed to weaken Congress strongholds. He said Karnataka’s CID (Criminal Investigation Department) has repeatedly written to the Election Commission since February 2023, seeking technical details like IP addresses and OTP trails, but received no adequate response.
“By September 2025, the CID has sent 18 letters to the EC with no adequate reply. This is proof that Gyanesh Kumar has been protecting these murderers of democracy,” Gandhi alleged.
Beyond Karnataka: Wider Vote Manipulation Claims
Gandhi insisted the alleged fraud was not confined to Karnataka, citing similar irregularities in Rajura (Maharashtra) and activities across Haryana. He said the Congress was also receiving information from insiders within the Election Commission, strengthening its case.
‘Hydrogen Bomb’ to Come
Terming the revelations only the beginning, Gandhi warned of bigger disclosures: “The Congress will soon drop a Hydrogen bomb on this issue. People of India will not accept vote chori.”
Political observers believe the allegations, if substantiated, could spark a nationwide debate on electoral integrity ahead of key state polls. The Election Commission, however, has not yet issued an official response to the charges.
The post Rahul Gandhi Accuses CEC Gyanesh Kumar of Aiding ‘Vote Theft’ and Shielding ‘Murderers of Democracy’ appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.
