What Warning Did LoP Gandhi Issue to ECI Regarding 'One Man, One Vote'?

Bengaluru, Aug 8 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, issued a strong warning to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday, stating, "If you (ECI) attack the 'One Man, One Vote' right enshrined in the Indian Constitution, we will retaliate."

Speaking to a large crowd at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, which was organized to protest alleged electoral fraud, LoP Rahul Gandhi stated, "This is the voice of Hindustan."

He mentioned that the Election Commission had requested his affidavit and oath in relation to complaints of electoral fraud. "I have already taken my oath in the Lok Sabha — on the Constitution," he asserted.

LoP Rahul Gandhi highlighted that the core concept of the Constitution is "One Man, One Vote." He accused ECI officials of undermining this principle, which he believes adversely affects the impoverished.

"If you think you can evade justice after committing electoral fraud, reconsider. It may take time, but we will apprehend you. We will find each and every one of you," he warned.

He noted that citizens nationwide are questioning the ECI's actions after the Congress party raised various concerns. "The ECI has taken down its websites in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar," claimed the LoP.

LoP Gandhi assured that if the ECI were to publish the electronic voters' list nationwide along with video evidence, the Congress would demonstrate that electoral fraud extends beyond just one seat in Karnataka and is a widespread issue across India.

He further stated that the Election Commission is meant to serve the Constitution, not the BJP. "We have already shown how the outcome of one seat in Karnataka was manipulated. And there are more. Congress workers embody the essence of the Constitution," he said.

Referring to 'Operation Lotus' in Karnataka, he addressed the crowd, "You all know how the previous government was overthrown using money. Today, I am stating with absolute certainty that electoral fraud occurred during the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP’s ideology opposes the Constitution. The Constitution safeguards the voices of the underprivileged, farmers, laborers, and the voiceless. Every Congress worker will protect it."

Rahul Gandhi asserted that while he may be the Leader of the Opposition, he is not alone in this struggle. "Opposition parties across the nation are raising these inquiries. The ECI must disclose the information," he urged.

He explained that Congress initiated its investigation with one Lok Sabha seat — Bengaluru Central — focusing its efforts on the Mahadevapura Assembly segment. "We unearthed clear evidence that the BJP and the ECI colluded to commit fraud. Out of 6.5 lakh voters in Mahadevapura, 1.25 lakh votes were manipulated. This means one in every six votes was tampered with," he claimed.

LoP Gandhi accused the fraudsters of employing five primary methods. Firstly, around 12,000 duplicate voters were permitted to cast votes across five to six different polling booths. Secondly, approximately 40,000 voters were registered using false identities. Thirdly, bulk voters were registered at the same address; in one case, 40 people were listed as residing in a single house. "When we visited the house, no one was present, and the property belonged to a BJP leader," he claimed.

Fourthly, nearly 4,000 voters were listed without photographs or with unclear images. Lastly, around 34,000 new voters were added through Form 6, many of whom were between 89 and 95 years old, raising significant concerns.

"In total, the BJP and the ECI have stolen more than one lakh votes," LoP Gandhi asserted. He further claimed that duplicate voters had cast ballots in multiple cities, including Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Varanasi.