Is Sonia Gandhi's Name on Voter List Before Citizenship Controversial?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Sonia Gandhi's name was allegedly added to the voter list in 1980.
- The complaint raises questions about electoral integrity.
- The case highlights potential issues with voter registration processes.
- The next court hearing is set for September 10.
- Political tensions are escalating as both parties respond to the allegations.
New Delhi, Sep 4 (NationPress) A criminal complaint has been lodged in a Delhi court against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, claiming that her name was added to the voter rolls in 1980, three years prior to her formal acquisition of Indian citizenship in 1983.
The complainant, Vikas Tripathi, argued that including Sonia Gandhi on the voter list before obtaining citizenship suggests the potential use of forged documents, which may constitute a cognizable crime.
On Thursday, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Vaibhav Chaurasia of the Rouse Avenue Court heard initial arguments in the case and set September 10 as the date for the next hearing.
During the proceedings, Tripathi urged the court to direct the police to register an FIR and launch an investigation into the allegations.
The BJP has alleged that Sonia Gandhi’s premature inclusion in the voter list signifies an original act of electoral fraud. Madan Rathore, president of the Rajasthan unit of the BJP, questioned, “She was registered as a voter in 1980 but only became a citizen in 1983. What greater theft than that?”
Rathore also accused the Congress party of making unfounded accusations when they face defeat, countering Congress' claims of vote manipulation by the BJP as baseless.
“If we were engaged in vote theft, how did leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot, Tikaram Jully, and Govind Singh Dotasra secure victories? Congress celebrates its wins but cries foul when defeated,” he stated.
He further accused the Congress of tampering with voter lists throughout the years, asserting that “the voter list undergoes regular revisions—new voters are added, deceased individuals are removed, and names are updated when someone relocates. Yet, Congress has consistently manipulated this process by inserting fictitious names.”