Could Rahul Gandhi Still Be an MP If ECI Wasn't Neutral?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Jagdambika Pal calls for an apology from Rahul Gandhi.
- The ECI's neutrality is questioned amidst allegations of vote deletions.
- Pal emphasizes the importance of removing illegal voters.
- Rahul Gandhi's claims have been labeled as 'baseless' by the ECI.
- Transparency in the electoral process is crucial for democracy.
Siddharthnagar, Sep 18 (NationPress) In response to the accusations made by Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, regarding "systemic" vote deletions at booths favoring the Congress party, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal stated on Thursday that the Congress leader should issue an apology. He emphasized that if the Election Commission of India (ECI) were not impartial, Gandhi would not hold his position as an MP.
In an interview with IANS, Jagdambika Pal remarked, "The ECI has consistently requested evidence to support these claims. They have explicitly stated that they are neutral and do not favor either the ruling party or the Opposition. If the ECI were biased, how could Rahul Gandhi still be an MP today?"
He further clarified that the Opposition's objections are not against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiative, but rather against the presence of illegal voters.
"This is not a battle against SIR; it’s a fight against illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Rohingyas residing here. Only Indian citizens above 18, regardless of their caste or religion, have the right to vote," he added.
Pal also mentioned that the ECI is actively working to identify and eliminate names of deceased individuals and illegal foreigners from the voter registry.
"When asked for evidence, the Opposition could not provide any. Instead, they are misleading the public with sensational accusations. Rahul Gandhi claimed he would unleash a 'hydrogen bomb,' but when the ECI requested written proof, they had nothing to present," he stated.
He continued, "Rahul Gandhi owes an apology to the citizens of this country. Previously, they blamed EVMs; now they are targeting the ECI and alleging 'vote theft.' Their actual issue lies not with the system but with the removal of illegal voters."
Earlier on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi intensified his attack on the ECI, alleging that votes were being purged from Congress booths via fake logins through a centralized system.
However, he dodged questions about whether he would follow up with the ECI or pursue legal action regarding the alleged 'irregularities and wrongdoings' under the oversight of the poll panel.
In the meantime, the ECI has dismissed Rahul Gandhi's claims of mass voter deletions in Karnataka's Aland Assembly constituency as 'baseless and incorrect'.