Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, claiming that every sixth BJP MP in the Lok Sabha attained their seat through what he called “vote chori,” a term he suggested could also label them as ‘ghuspethiya’. Gandhi, while addressing reporters, highlighted that if fair elections were to take place today, the BJP would struggle to secure even 140 seats in the Lok Sabha.
In a post shared on X, formerly Twitter, Gandhi pointed out the extent of alleged electoral malpractice within the BJP. He stated, “Of the 240 BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha, roughly every sixth MP secured their seat through vote chori.” His comments reflect a broader criticism of the BJP’s electoral strategies, which he insists rely on manipulation rather than democratic engagement.
Gandhi further elaborated, “They are not hard to identify – should we, in the BJP’s own parlance, label them ‘ghuspethiya’? And what of Haryana? There, the entire government itself is an ‘ghuspethiya’. The very institutions they keep in their pockets – the ones they manipulate to distort voter lists and the electoral process – are themselves ‘remote-controlled’.” This rigorous attack aimed not only at BJP MPs but also at the party’s governance, suggesting a systemic issue within their leadership.
Expressing his concerns about the implications of these allegations, Gandhi commented on the party’s fear of transparency, stating, “Their real fear is the truth. For if fair elections were to be held, they would not be able to win even 140 seats today.” The statement challenges the BJP’s narrative of overwhelming electoral success and suggests that their achievements could result from unethical practices.
Following his statements on Lok Sabha MPs, Gandhi revisited comments he made earlier about the BJP’s victories in Bengal and Assam. He termed the BJP’s electoral success in these regions as “theft” of the people’s mandate, and warned of their ongoing efforts to “destroy” Indian democracy. His assertion that the BJP’s approach undermines the electoral process resonates with many critics of the party.
Moreover, Gandhi extended his support to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which suffered heavy losses to the BJP in recent assembly polls. He urged those celebrating TMC’s defeat to recognize the broader implications of these electoral outcomes. “Put petty politics aside. This is not about one party or another. This is about India,” he emphasized, highlighting the necessity of unity in facing potential democratic erosion.
The BJP made significant gains in state electoral politics, ousting Trinamool Congress from power in Bengal and securing its position for the third consecutive time in Assam. The recent assembly poll results, declared on Monday, confirm the BJP’s stronghold in these regions, fueling ongoing debates about the integrity of their victories.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Gandhi’s accusations raise critical questions regarding electoral fairness, the responsibilities of political parties, and the significance of democracy in India. The Congress party’s challenge to the BJP to embrace greater transparency may resonate with voters concerned about the health of Indian democracy.
