Hooda accuses BJP of 2024 Haryana poll malpractice, cites CEC
Synopsis
Bhupinder Hooda has gone beyond blaming the BJP — he has trained his fire on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar by name, alleging that 14 objections from fellow commissioners and the deletion of 13 crore voter names expose a rigged process. Backed by a village tour in his own constituency, it signals Congress is building a structured anti-BJP campaign in Haryana around electoral credibility, not just governance failures.
Key Takeaways
Bhupinder Hooda on 23 September alleged the BJP won the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections through electoral malpractice.
He named Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar , alleging 14 objections to unilateral decisions in 10 months and illegal changes in Form VI .
Hooda cited the deletion of 13 crore voter names under the SIR exercise as proof of what he called a 'dictatorship.' He began a constituency tour of Garhi Sampla-Kiloi , visiting 8 villages and soliciting public support for a statewide campaign.
Congress described the exercise as the start of an 'all-out struggle against the BJP across the state.'
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda on Wednesday, 23 September alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections through systematic electoral malpractice, calling it the 'darkest and most critical period of Indian democracy.' The allegations, made in Rohtak, came as Hooda launched a grassroots outreach tour of his Garhi Sampla-Kiloi constituency.
Charges Against the Election Commission
Hooda alleged that two of the three Election Commissioners had themselves exposed how the election process was undermined. He pointed to what he described as 14 objections to unilateral decisions taken over 10 months, manipulation in voter lists, and illegal changes in Form VI. 'Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is sitting alone and fixing elections,' he alleged, adding that the institution entrusted with protecting democracy 'has today become a puppet of the ruling party.'
Hooda also cited the deletion of names of 13 crore voters under the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) exercise as evidence of what he termed 'dictatorship.' He invoked Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's earlier warnings about 'vote theft,' saying those warnings had proven accurate. 'Power was stolen in Haryana through it,' he charged.
Village Tour and Grassroots Mobilisation
Hooda began his constituency tour at Brahmanwas village, where he drew on a multi-generational family connection. 'Before me, my father and grandfather also received immense love and support here. After seeking blessings, I will go across the constituency and then across the state, and I will not stop until the Congress flag of victory is unfurled,' he told residents.
He subsequently visited Basantpur, Dhamar, Rithal, Kanhi, Jasia, Ghilour Khurd and Ghilour Kalan villages, where residents pledged support. At a public meeting, one villager urged him: 'You should go across the entire state and do not stop until the BJP is removed from power.'
Congress Rebuilding After 2024 Defeat
Hooda acknowledged the Congress's 2024 Haryana election defeat but framed the tour as the start of a new phase. 'After building the organisation, we have been continuously holding workers' meetings at the block level. But I felt it was necessary to consult the people of my constituency once regarding the future course of politics,' he said. He described the party as leaving behind disappointment and launching a fresh campaign across the state.
Responding to journalists, he alleged that Haryana had ranked 'number one in drugs, corruption and crime' under BJP rule, contrasting it with what he described as the Congress government's record of leading on per capita income, investment, and employment — though those claims were not independently verified.
Broader Political Context
The allegations arrive as opposition parties nationally have intensified scrutiny of the Election Commission of India (ECI), particularly following the BJP's unexpected win in Haryana last year. This is the latest in a series of public statements by senior Congress leaders questioning the credibility of electoral processes ahead of upcoming state elections. Notably, Hooda's charges echo similar claims made by Congress at the national level, suggesting a coordinated opposition narrative targeting electoral institutions.
Point of View
But personalising the charge against a sitting constitutional officer raises the stakes considerably. The 13-crore-voter-deletion figure, if substantiated, would be a serious indictment; if it conflates SIR-related deletions with intent, it could backfire. The village tour is savvy politics — Congress needs to rebuild its cadre base in Haryana, and framing the 2024 loss as a stolen election is more mobilising than acknowledging organisational failure.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What electoral malpractice did Bhupinder Hooda allege against the BJP in Haryana?
Hooda alleged that the BJP won the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections through manipulation of voter lists, illegal changes in Form VI, and unilateral decisions by the Chief Election Commissioner. He cited 14 objections raised by two of the three Election Commissioners over 10 months as evidence.
Why did Hooda target Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar?
Hooda alleged that Kumar was acting unilaterally and 'fixing elections,' pointing to what he described as dissent from two fellow commissioners as proof. He claimed the Election Commission had become a 'puppet of the ruling party' rather than an independent constitutional body.
What is the significance of the 13 crore voter deletion claim?
Hooda alleged that the deletion of names of 13 crore voters under the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) process was proof of electoral manipulation. He characterised it as evidence of 'dictatorship,' though the claim was not independently verified at the time of this report.
What is Hooda's next political move in Haryana?
Hooda has begun a village tour of his Garhi Sampla-Kiloi constituency to consult residents on the future course of politics and build support for a statewide campaign against the BJP. He has said he will not stop until 'the Congress flag of victory is unfurled' across Haryana.
How has Congress framed its recovery after losing the 2024 Haryana elections?
Congress has acknowledged the 2024 defeat but is positioning it as a stolen rather than a lost mandate, using that framing to mobilise cadres. Hooda said the party has been holding block-level workers' meetings and is now moving to constituency and state-level outreach.
