Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday, intensified his criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were “rigged” and that the electoral system in India has “collapsed”.
Speaking at the Annual Legal Conclave-2025 in New Delhi, Gandhi claimed his party had uncovered “open-and-shut” proof of large-scale electoral malpractice.
“The truth is that the election system in India is already dead,” he said. “The Prime Minister is in power with a very slim majority. If 15 seats were rigged, he would not be Prime Minister today," he further noted.
Gandhi reiterated that his party’s investigation had uncovered evidence of systematic vote manipulation, which he described as an “atom bomb” capable of shaking public confidence in the electoral process. “We did our own investigation. It took six months. What we found is an atom bomb. When this explodes, you won’t see the Election Commission in the country,” he said.
He also accused the ECI of complicity, claiming it failed to assist in their probe. “Votes are being stolen. And the Election Commission is enabling it for the BJP,” Gandhi alleged, warning that even retired officials involved in the process would be held accountable, calling the conduct “no less than treason”.
He further claimed that in Maharashtra alone, one crore new voters appeared between the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections, with the majority voting for the BJP. “Now I say with absolutely no doubt that we have proof,” he remarked, lashing out at the poll panel.
The Congress leader also questioned the BJP’s victories in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, describing the opposition's complete rout in assembly polls as suspicious. “Three formidable parties suddenly evaporated,” he said, hinting at coordinated electoral manipulation.
Notably, just a day earlier, Gandhi had slammed the ECI for indulging in “vote theft” and issued a warning about explosive revelations, prompting a response from the poll body.
Soon after, the EC, in a statement, rubbished his claims as “baseless” and “irresponsible”, asserting that its officials continue to work impartially and transparently despite daily threats.
The Commission also noted that Gandhi failed to respond to an official communication sent on June 12 and had not raised any formal objections through proper channels.
Separately, at the same conclave, Gandhi rejected slogans calling him “the king of this country”, stating, “No boss, I’m not the king. I don’t want to be one. I am against the very concept of a king.”
Gandhi has previously criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi using similar rhetoric, accusing him of behaving like a monarch and ignoring democratic processes.
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