'I cast my vote...': Woman at centre of Brazilian model controversy speaks after Rahul Gandhi's H-bomb claim

Picture of the model that was presented by Rahul Gandhi

The woman who has become the centre of the controversy, dubbed the “Brazilian model row” on Thursday, said that one of the allegedly fake voter ID cards that was presented by Rahul Gandhi earlier this week is not hers.

The Congress has claimed that the case points to widespread electoral fraud involving the Election Commission and the ruling BJP.

“The card I have has my photo... the one Rahul Gandhi showed does not. I cast my vote. I don't know whose photo is (on the fake card),” said the woman, identifying herself as Munesh.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while dropping the H-bomb on Wednesday, had alleged that a single voter ID, featuring the picture of a Brazilian woman said to be taken from stock image websites, was used to cast 22 votes in Haryana’s Rai constituency last year.

The seat was won by BJP candidate Krishna Gahlawat, who defeated Congress’ Bhagwan Antil by 4,673 votes.

Gandhi also showed more instances of voter IDs with the same pictures but different names and said, "The EC can remove duplicates in a second. Why don't they do it? Reason: they are helping the BJP."

He also said, "I am questioning the Election Commission and the democratic process in India, and I am doing this with 100 per cent proof. We are sure a plan was put in motion to convert Congress' landslide victory into a loss."

Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his comments on Haryana vote theft and said that the only reason that Gandhi held a press conference was to "hide his failures".

"Rahul Gandhi addressed the press to hide his failures. There will be polling in Bihar (tomorrow), however, he was sharing stories about Haryana. This shows that the Congress has nothing left in Bihar and this is why to deviate attention he is raking up Haryana issue. I would advise him that being Leader of Opposition, he should talk on serious issues and not waste time over irrelevant issues," he said, as quoted by news agency Press Trust of India.