Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intensified his allegations of electoral fraud on Wednesday, asserting that the ruling BJP is engaged in “vote chori” (poll theft) and promising to present evidence within six months. Speaking at Muzaffarpur during his Vote Adhikar Yatra, the Lok Sabha MP claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Election Commission of India (ECI) are involved in manipulating votes.

Allegations on the “Gujarat model”

Gandhi referred to the so-called “Gujarat model” as a blueprint for vote manipulation rather than an economic framework. He alleged that vote theft started in Gujarat before 2014 and was expanded nationally in the general elections that year.

“In the coming days, we will prove beyond a doubt that Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and the Chief Election Commissioner are stealing votes,” Gandhi said. He added that Bihar’s youth would “show PM Narendra Modi how ‘vote chori’ will be put to an end.”

Claims of electoral malpractice

Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of “cutting votes and adding fake voters” to secure victories in assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, as well as in the Lok Sabha elections. He specifically claimed that the ECI added around 1 crore votes in Maharashtra post-Lok Sabha elections, benefiting the BJP. Gandhi said Congress has gathered proof and will reveal how elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, and other states were allegedly manipulated.

Political campaign and support

The Congress leader’s 16-day Voter Adhikar Yatra across Bihar is aimed at mobilising voters ahead of the assembly elections. Gandhi was joined by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who echoed his criticism of the election panel. The yatra is expected to culminate on September 1 with a mega rally at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, drawing leaders of the Congress-led INDIA bloc.

Conclusion

Rahul Gandhi’s repeated claims on “vote chori” signal a major campaign theme for the Congress in Bihar. The party aims to highlight alleged electoral malpractice while rallying public support ahead of the state assembly polls, setting the stage for heightened political discourse in the coming weeks.