Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday, 5 May launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the party had stolen elections in West Bengal and Assam with the alleged support of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Gandhi made the claims in a post on his official X account, aligning himself publicly with All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee's earlier accusations.

What Gandhi Alleged

Gandhi claimed that more than 100 seats were stolen in West Bengal, directly echoing Banerjee's assertions. He described the alleged manipulation in Assam and Bengal as "clear cases" of electoral fraud, and stated that the Congress stood in full agreement with Banerjee's position.

"This is a playbook we have seen before," Gandhi wrote, alleging that the BJP had deployed a familiar strategy previously witnessed in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, and during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He further accused the party of not just winning seats through alleged manipulation, but of systematically eroding the credibility of democratic institutions.

"Stealing elections, stealing institutions — what other option is left now!" Gandhi wrote in his post, signalling what he described as a deepening crisis in Indian democracy.

The Mamata Banerjee Connection

Banerjee had previously alleged that the BJP manipulated election results in West Bengal. Gandhi's public endorsement of those claims marks a notable moment of convergence between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the TMC — two parties that have historically been rivals in Bengal's political landscape. Analysts note that such alignments, however tactical, signal a broader Opposition effort to present a united front ahead of future electoral contests.

BJP's Position

The BJP has consistently rejected such accusations, maintaining that its electoral victories are a reflection of popular mandate and public trust. The party has not issued a fresh response to Gandhi's 5 May post at the time of publication.

Broader Political Context

The allegations come at a time when Opposition parties have intensified their criticism of the BJP, citing alleged misuse of state machinery and unfair practices during polls. This is not the first time Gandhi has targeted the ECI; similar charges were levelled after results in Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. Notably, the Opposition's narrative of institutional capture has become a recurring theme in Indian political discourse since the 2024 general elections.

Gandhi's remarks are expected to sharpen confrontations in Parliament and on the campaign trail in the coming weeks, as both Congress and TMC look to consolidate their anti-BJP positioning ahead of upcoming state polls.