Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has sharply dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent allegations of large-scale voter fraud in the state, calling the claims “misleading” and accusing the Congress of lacking a clear political direction. The exchange follows Gandhi’s unveiling of what he termed the “H-Files”, a set of claims alleging manipulation of approximately 25 lakh votes during the Haryana Assembly elections.

Gandhi asserted that duplicate and invalid voter entries had significantly influenced electoral outcomes in the state, suggesting the process was compromised. His statements sparked immediate political reaction, with the ruling BJP government moving to counter the narrative swiftly.

Rahul Gandhi’s ‘H-Files’ allegation

Rahul Gandhi’s remarks were delivered as part of an ongoing opposition campaign questioning the transparency of electoral processes. According to Gandhi, the Congress has gathered “evidence of systematic manipulation”, including:

  • Duplicate voter entries within constituencies
  • Irregular deletions and additions in voter lists
  • Unmatched voter identity records

Gandhi argued that these alleged inconsistencies undermined electoral fairness and demanded accountability from both the Haryana government and the Election Commission of India (ECI). He framed the issue as part of a broader national concern regarding electoral integrity.

Saini’s counter: “Misleading the nation”

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini firmly rejected the allegations, stating that the Congress was attempting to create confusion among the public. He said the electoral process was conducted with transparency, and institutions overseeing the elections followed due protocol.

Saini remarked that the opposition was resorting to claims of fraud because it was struggling to position itself effectively. “Congress has become agenda-less,” he said. “When they cannot connect with people on real issues, they manufacture new controversies.”

The Chief Minister further noted that the Congress did not file substantial legal objections during the voter roll revision period, questioning the timing of the allegations.

Election Commission’s response

The Election Commission also addressed the matter, stating that routine voter roll revisions were carried out as per guidelines and that no major objections were submitted during the review process. The ECI highlighted:

  • Only 22 election petitions are currently pending across 90 constituencies
  • No evidence has emerged suggesting large-scale systematic manipulation
  • Established grievance mechanisms remain open to all parties

The Commission’s response has provided a layer of institutional backing to the state government’s position, though the Congress maintains that investigations must continue.

Political stakes and timing

The dispute comes amid heightened political mobilisation ahead of national and state polls. Analysts note that both parties are looking to shape voter perception:

  • For the Congress, the H-Files campaign aligns with its broader narrative of contesting alleged institutional bias.
  • For the BJP-led government, firmly rebutting the allegations is essential to maintain credibility and administrative authority.

The clash reflects a growing trend in national politics where narratives around electoral fairness are increasingly central to campaign messaging.

Congress doubles down

Despite the rebuttal, Congress leaders say they will continue to pursue the matter. Party officials claim they are preparing to compile constituency-wise data to substantiate the H-Files allegations. They argue that the absence of legal petitions does not negate the presence of irregularities, but instead highlights the difficulty of uncovering systemic issues without full transparency.

What comes next

Political observers expect the issue to remain active in public debate, particularly as campaigning intensifies. Whether Congress can produce additional documentation to support its claims may determine how strongly the H-Files narrative resonates with voters.

For now, the Haryana government and the Election Commission stand firm in rejecting the accusations.