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The BJP described Rahul Gandhi as a ‘frustrated leader who is not able to win people’s support through democratic means’
Gandhi stated that if votes are stolen, the legitimacy of Parliament and the law-making apparatus collapses entirely. Image/AFP
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a scathing attack on the nation’s top electoral leadership on Thursday, explicitly describing those involved in alleged “vote theft” as deshdrohis (traitors). Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, the Congress leader escalated his long-standing “vote chori” campaign, alleging that the integrity of the voting process has been fundamentally compromised.
The offensive comes on the heels of media reports detailing internal dissension within the Election Commission of India (ECI). Reports revealed that two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, formally raised written objections on 14 separate occasions regarding operational steps and voter roll data management under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
LIVE: Press Conference | Indira Bhawan, New Delhi https://t.co/knirJWJju9— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 24, 2026
The BJP slammed the Congress MP, calling his press conference a damp squib and describing him as a “frustrated leader who is not able to win people’s support through democratic means”.
Demand for CEC Resignation and Calls for Top-Level Probe
Calling for the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Rahul Gandhi directly implicated senior political leaders at the helm of government as primary co-conspirators in subverting the electoral process. Also taking aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, he asserted that altering or deleting voter rolls unlawfully constitutes an act against the state itself.
Gandhi stated that if votes are stolen, the legitimacy of Parliament and the law-making apparatus collapses entirely. The Congress leader warned that any future government will hold independent investigations into the decision-making processes of the poll panel, urging election officials not to execute “unauthorised and illegal” instructions.
At A Glance
Rahul Gandhi described those involved in alleged “vote theft” as deshdrohis (traitors).
This after two ECs, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, reportedly raised 14 written objections.
The objections concerned operational steps and voter roll data management under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Rahul Gandhi called for the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Election Commission of India has dismissed claims of institutional collapse or illegality.
ECI Rejects Allegations of Internal Rift
In response to the escalating political firestorm, the Election Commission of India has firmly dismissed claims of institutional collapse or illegality. The poll body clarified that administrative decisions regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists are conducted in full compliance with constitutional mandates and statutory rules.
ECI representatives maintained that highlighting isolated dissent notes or procedural observations spread across several months presents a distorted picture, emphasising that final orders and administrative directives are processed through standard institutional consensus.
Escalating Political War Over Voter Roll Revisions
The confrontation marks a dramatic escalation in the opposition’s campaign regarding voter list revisions across key states. Pointing to massive additions and deletions of electors during draft roll updates in Maharashtra and Delhi, opposition leaders argue that systemic irregularities threaten democratic foundations.
With the Congress signalling plans to intensify protests, the public clash between the opposition and the constitutional body sets up a protracted legal and political battle over electoral transparency and public trust.
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Ask News18Rahul Gandhi accused the top electoral leadership of compromising voting integrity and allowing alleged vote theft, calling those involved traitors and demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s immediate resignation.
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September 24, 2026, 20:33 IST
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