Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s vote theft charges as “completely baseless.” He challenged the Congress leader to submit a formal affidavit to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to substantiate his claims.
Shinde said elections in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Punjab were fully transparent. He mocked Gandhi, claiming the Congress leader intended to “drop a hydrogen bomb” during his press conference but failed to deliver.
Rahul Gandhi recently accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of protecting those who “destroyed democracy.” He cited data from a Karnataka assembly constituency, claiming votes of Congress supporters were systematically deleted ahead of the 2023 elections. The ECI rejected the allegations, stating no member of the public can delete votes online.
Shinde highlighted that Congress had won in the Aland constituency in Karnataka under the same system Gandhi criticized. He said this proves Gandhi’s claims lack logic. He emphasized that questioning a transparent process without evidence undermines democracy.
The BJP leader warned that spreading unverified claims could create confusion among voters. The political row has intensified, with the Congress demanding Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ resignation. Analysts say the exchange reflects rising tensions ahead of upcoming state and national elections.
Shinde concluded that the focus should remain on governance, development, and public welfare rather than baseless allegations. Citizens, he added, expect accountability from all parties.
