'Never said I voted today': Pune woman posts selfie urging Bihar to vote; sparks debate on 'vote-chori'

The viral picture of the Pune lawyer has sparked a debate

In a new controversy that erupted on Friday, a Pune-based lawyer’s selfie showing her inked finger went viral during the first phase of voting in the Bihar Assembly elections, adding fuel to the Opposition’s allegations of “vote theft” levelled by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The photo, shared by the woman named Urrmi, a lawyer from Pune, showed her finger marked with indelible ink, which signifies that one has voted, with the caption: “Voted for a Modi-fied India. Jaai ke Vote daali, Bihar.”

Congress workers swiftly picked up the image, alleging that it was proof of voters casting ballots in multiple states. They dug up older posts of the lawyer voting in Pune and claimed this was an example of how “voters from one state are voting in another."

Voted for a Modi-fied India! 🇮🇳

Jaai ke Vote daali, Bihar! pic.twitter.com/kkWMwShqSh

— Urrmi (@Urrmi_) November 6, 2025

This comes just days after Gandhi had alleged large-scale irregularities during the Haryana elections, claiming that a woman with multiple names had “voted in 10 different booths". The viral photo of the Pune lawyer is now being cited by Congress supporters as a second example of what they call a pattern of electoral manipulation.

“Multi-state voting is the new startup. Investor: BJP. Product: Fake mandate,” said Reshma Alam, a Congress social media coordinator.

Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil also took a swipe at the ruling party, posting sarcastically: “I will vote in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha. I will vote in Bihar in the Vidhan Sabha. I will steal votes for Modi.”

The outrage extended beyond Congress, with allies in Bihar joining the criticism. Priyanka Bharti, spokesperson for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), said, “In 2024, madam voted in Maharashtra, and in 2025, she vote in Bihar. She openly wrote she wants to build ‘Modi’s’ India. They have sold off all their shame and modesty! Just look at their arrogance. When you ask them anything, madam will say, ‘The system is ours!’ The whole system runs for the BJP folks like earthworms.”

Responding to the controversy, Urrmi later took to X and clarified that her post had been misinterpreted and was only meant to encourage people in Bihar to vote. “This was just for motivation. I never said I voted today. I said I voted. And everyone knows it was in Maharashtra. So, calm down! Motivated enough? Now your turn, Bihar. Go vote,” she said.