Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Says President Murmu Sought Proof of ‘Vote Chori’; INDIA Bloc to Submit Evidence.
Opposition delegation submits memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, seeks CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; Congress leader also vows to challenge crony capitalism.
New Delhi:
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that the INDIA bloc had submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, raising allegations of electoral irregularities and seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Speaking after the meeting at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Gandhi said he was surprised by the President’s response to the opposition’s allegations of “Vote Chori” (vote theft). According to him, President Murmu asked the delegation to provide evidence supporting its claims, and the INDIA bloc was prepared to submit the material it had collected.
Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CEC Gyanesh Kumar had undermined the country’s electoral system. He maintained that the opposition would present evidence of the alleged electoral wrongdoing before the President.
“I was shocked that the President did not deny Vote Chori. Instead, she asked us to bring proof. We will bring her a mountain of it,” Gandhi said, reiterating the opposition alliance’s willingness to submit its evidence.
He also welcomed the President’s assurance that she would examine the matter and take appropriate action.
INDIA Bloc Seeks Action Against Chief Election Commissioner
The meeting with President Murmu came amid escalating protests by INDIA bloc leaders over the functioning of the Election Commission of India and alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
The opposition delegation, led by senior INDIA bloc leaders, submitted a memorandum seeking intervention on issues related to electoral transparency and accountability. A key demand was the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The memorandum also raised concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and called for changes to the existing electoral process. Among the demands reported were the restoration of allegedly deleted voters, a return to paper ballots and a review of certain Assembly elections held over the past two years.
The opposition has alleged that irregularities in voter lists and the conduct of elections have undermined the fairness of the democratic process. These allegations remain contested, with the Election Commission and the BJP disputing claims of politically motivated electoral manipulation.
Gandhi Says INDIA Bloc Ready to Present Evidence
Emphasising the opposition’s next steps, Gandhi said the INDIA bloc would provide the evidence it had gathered to substantiate its allegations.
He maintained that the issue concerned the integrity of India’s democratic institutions and the protection of citizens’ voting rights.
The Congress leader’s remarks followed days of protests by opposition MPs demanding accountability from the Election Commission. The meeting with the President marked another step in the INDIA bloc’s efforts to bring its concerns before constitutional authorities.
The opposition has also indicated that it intends to pursue the matter through other institutional channels.
Congress Pledges to Challenge Crony Capitalism
Separately, Gandhi reiterated the Congress party’s commitment to creating a fair economic environment in which businesses can compete on merit rather than political connections.
He said India needed a level playing field where every business had a fair opportunity to grow and compete, regardless of its relationship with those in power.
Gandhi argued that the country must break the cycle of crony capitalism and build an economy driven by innovation, hard work and entrepreneurship rather than political patronage.
“India needs a level playing field where every business has a fair chance to compete,” Gandhi said, outlining his party’s position on economic fairness and equal opportunities.
He added that the Congress party was committed to challenging the concentration of economic opportunities among businesses allegedly benefiting from political connections.
Electoral Transparency and Economic Fairness Remain Opposition Priorities
Gandhi’s statements brought two key opposition concerns into focus: alleged irregularities in the electoral process and the need for greater fairness in India’s economic system.
While the INDIA bloc is pressing for action on its electoral allegations, the Congress has also sought to position itself as an advocate of fair competition and an economy that rewards innovation and hard work.
The President’s reported request for evidence has placed the onus on the opposition to substantiate its allegations through the material it says it has collected. The next steps will depend on the evidence submitted and the response of the relevant constitutional authorities.
The controversy is likely to keep the functioning of the Election Commission, the integrity of electoral rolls and the demand for accountability at the centre of the ongoing political debate.