Rahul Gandhi Accuses EC of Vote Theft, Promises 'Hydrogen Bomb' of Proof
NEW DELHI — September 18, 2025 — In a stunning press conference held today at the Indira Bhawan Auditorium in Delhi, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of “colluding with the ruling government to steal elections.” Gandhi, who has been vocal about alleged electoral irregularities in recent months, promised to unveil what he called a “hydrogen bomb” of evidence that would "leave Prime Minister Narendra Modi unable to show his face to the country." The accusations have sent shockwaves through the political landscape, drawing immediate and strong condemnation from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a firm denial from the EC.
The press conference, which was attended by a large contingent of media personnel, was the culmination of weeks of warnings from the Congress leader, who had hinted at a major exposé. His allegations center on what he terms “vote chori” or vote theft, a charge he has been leveling against the BJP and the EC in recent months, particularly after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The 'Atom Bomb' Precedent: Allegations in Mahadevapura
Gandhi began his address by reiterating his earlier claims, which he had described as an "atom bomb," citing data from the Mahadevapura assembly segment in Karnataka. He stated that a six-month-long analysis of the Mahadevapura electoral rolls by the Congress party had unearthed what he described as a massive network of voter manipulation.
According to his data, which he presented in a series of detailed charts and documents, the Congress had found that out of 1,00,250 alleged bogus voters, over 40,000 had "fake and invalid addresses" and more than 10,000 were "bulk voters" registered at common addresses. He also presented examples of voter list addresses that included "Street 0" and "House no. 0" and cases where as many as 80 voters were shown to be living at a single address. "This is not a coincidence," Gandhi declared. "This is a deliberate, systematic attempt to subvert the democratic process."
He further claimed that the BJP won the Bangalore Central seat by a margin of 32,707 votes, while his party's analysis showed that over 100,000 fake votes were cast in the constituency. "This is a clear case of electoral fraud," he asserted. "And the Election Commission, which is supposed to be the guardian of our democracy, has been complicit in this crime."
The New 'Hydrogen Bomb': A More Explosive Claim
While his earlier claims focused on a single constituency, today's press conference was about a much larger, more comprehensive set of allegations. "If the Mahadevapura data was an atom bomb, what we have today is a hydrogen bomb," Gandhi said, his voice firm and unwavering. "This evidence is not about one constituency or one state. It is about a coordinated, nationwide effort to manipulate voter lists and control the outcome of elections."
Gandhi then proceeded to unveil what he described as a "dynamic and explosive proof" that, according to him, shows how the EC's processes were compromised. He alleged that the data for the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections was being manipulated through a sophisticated system that allowed for the "deletion of opposition voters and the addition of fake voters." He claimed that this model of "vote theft," which he called the "Gujarat Model," was now being implemented nationwide.
He specifically pointed to what he called an "unprecedented spike" in voter additions in certain states, particularly Maharashtra, after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. "We have proof that after the elections, over one crore votes were added to the voter list in Maharashtra, and all of them went to the BJP," he claimed. "This is not just a statistical anomaly; it is a crime against democracy."
The Accusation Against the ECI
A central theme of Gandhi's press conference was his direct accusation against the ECI. He argued that the EC's failure to provide electronic voter data and CCTV footage of polling stations for the past 10-15 years was not a matter of negligence but a deliberate act of complicity. "These are no longer just records; they are now evidence of a crime," he stated.
He urged the judiciary to intervene and order the ECI to release all the data, arguing that "if the judiciary does not act, then Indian democracy is in grave danger." He said that the EC's actions were a "betrayal of the trust of the Indian people" and that they were "partaking in the crime" of electoral subversion.
The BJP's Swift and Furious Response
The BJP's response to Gandhi's allegations was swift and furious. Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad held a counter-press conference, where he dismissed Gandhi's claims as "baseless and irresponsible." "Rahul Gandhi is not just questioning the BJP; he is questioning the very foundation of Indian democracy," Prasad said. "His 'atom bomb' of Karnataka did not even turn out to be a small firecracker, and this 'hydrogen bomb' will also fizzle out."
The BJP accused Gandhi of lowering the dignity of his position as the Leader of the Opposition and of creating a narrative of doubt and instability to hide the Congress party's electoral failures. "The fact is, the Congress has been on a declining trajectory since 1984," said BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao, citing historical poll data to counter Gandhi's claims. "Instead of introspecting on their failures, they are blaming the Election Commission and resorting to cheap political stunts."
The BJP also highlighted that the EC had repeatedly dismissed similar allegations in the past, calling them "politically motivated and without merit." They urged the public to disregard Gandhi's claims, which they labeled as a desperate attempt to regain political relevance.
The EC's Official Statement
Shortly after the press conference, the Election Commission of India released a statement, firmly refuting Gandhi's allegations. The EC stated that all its processes were "robust, transparent, and fair." It also clarified that voter lists are constantly updated and that any changes are made in accordance with the law and after a thorough verification process.
The statement also addressed the issue of bulk voters and fake addresses, explaining that such cases are a result of voter migration and that the EC has a robust system in place to detect and remove such entries. "The allegations are baseless and are designed to undermine the credibility of a constitutional body," the statement read. The EC also said that all data and records are available as per the existing laws and that anyone can file a request to access them.
The Political Ramifications: What Happens Next?
The political ramifications of Gandhi's allegations are immense. They have brought the issue of electoral integrity to the forefront of national debate and have intensified the already bitter rivalry between the Congress and the BJP. The Congress party has announced that it will take its campaign to the streets, holding protests and public meetings to raise awareness about the "vote theft" allegations.
The BJP, on the other hand, is expected to double down on its defense, portraying Gandhi's claims as an attack on India's democratic institutions. The debate is likely to intensify in the coming weeks, with both sides presenting their arguments and trying to win the public's trust. The judiciary will also be under pressure to respond to Gandhi's call for intervention, and the outcome of that will have a significant impact on the future of this controversy.
For now, the political climate in India remains highly charged, with the public waiting to see if Rahul Gandhi's "hydrogen bomb" will indeed live up to its name
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