Rahul Gandhi Sparks Political Firestorm Over “Vote Theft” Allegations In Karnataka

Opposition Leader Claims Over One Lakh Fake Votes; EC Demands Sworn Proof Amid Rising Street Protests

Bengaluru, August 8, 2025 — A fresh political storm has gripped India as Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating “massive voter fraud” in the 2024 general elections.

The Congress scion claims that over 1,00,250 fake votes were cast in Mahadevapura, a high-profile assembly segment within Bangalore Central, resulting in a BJP win. At a press briefing, Gandhi presented figures that, if proven true, could mark one of the most serious electoral scandals in recent memory.

The Allegations: Duplicate Voters, Fake Addresses & Bulk Registrations

Gandhi alleged that the fraud was meticulously engineered through:

• 11,965 duplicate voters registered in multiple polling booths.
• 40,009 invalid or fake addresses in voter rolls, including absurd entries like “House No. 0.”
• 10,452 bulk registrations — instances where up to 80 voters were listed at a single-room dwelling.
• Misuse of Form 6, with 33,692 new voter additions allegedly fraudulent, including elderly citizens registered multiple times.

“This is not an isolated case — it is an industrial-scale manipulation of democracy,” Gandhi declared, calling the evidence “an atom bomb” against electoral credibility.

ECI’s Stern Response: Submit Proof Under Oath Or Face Jail

Within hours, Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbu Kumar issued a formal notice to Gandhi, demanding a sworn declaration detailing voter identities, booth numbers, and evidence to substantiate his claims.

Citing Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, the notice warns that false statements could invite up to seven years’ imprisonment under Section 227 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita, 2023.

“This is a grave allegation against a constitutional institution. Proof must be submitted under oath; otherwise, it is a violation of law,” the EC stated.

Streets Heat Up: Congress Mobilises Bengaluru Protes

In defiance, Gandhi is leading a “Vote Theft” protest march today at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, joined by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Party leaders say the protest aims to “reclaim democratic integrity” and demand a nationwide voter roll audit. “If the Prime Minister has any respect for democracy, he should resign,” Siddaramaiah thundered.

BJP Hits Back: “Selective Outrage”

The BJP dismissed the accusations as politically motivated “bogus claims,” accusing Gandhi of selectively questioning elections only where Congress loses. “They did not challenge results in Telangana or Himachal where they won. This is ideological bankruptcy and an attack on democratic institutions,” a BJP spokesperson said.

Beyond Karnataka: Maharashtra & Haryana Under Lens

Gandhi further alleged that over one crore ghost voters were added in Maharashtra between the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, with CCTV footage destroyed to conceal irregularities. Similar concerns, he hinted, exist in Haryana.

These broader claims, if pursued, could expand the controversy into a nationwide political battle ahead of upcoming state elections.

The Road Ahead: Proof Or Political Standoff

The standoff has set the stage for a legal and political showdown. The Opposition vows to escalate protests, while the ECI insists it will act strictly if evidence is not formally submitted.

Observers note that the case’s trajectory will depend on whether Gandhi can back his allegations with verifiable proof — or whether the claims will remain a political flashpoint without judicial closure.

With assembly elections looming in multiple states, the outcome could reshape both public trust in the electoral process and the tenor of India’s political discourse.