New Delhi: The Election Commission has taken action against Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his allegations of irregularities and “vote theft” during the recent elections.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor came out in support of Gandhi, calling for the matter to be addressed seriously.
Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, shared a post highlighting alleged voter fraud in Mahadevapura assembly segment under the Bengaluru Lok Sabha constituency.
“These are serious questions that must be addressed seriously in the interest of all parties and all voters. It is very precious to allow the credibility of our democracy to be destroyed by incompetence, negligence or, worse, deliberate manipulation,” he wrote on X, tagging the Election Commission and urging it to act promptly.
Tharoor’s support comes amid ongoing tension between him and the Congress high command. The rift widened after he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomacy in an article for The Hindu, which was later shared by the Prime Minister’s Office, prompting questions about his loyalty to the party.
Tharoor’s earlier remarks on India-Pakistan relations and his selection by the government to lead an all-party delegation on Operation Sindoor had also triggered discontent within the party.
On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi alleged widespread electoral roll irregularities in several Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Haryana, claiming that names of the same voters appeared across multiple booths and states. However, the Election Commission rejected these claims on Thursday, terming them unfounded.
Several BJP leaders have strongly criticised Gandhi’s remarks, accusing him of undermining democratic institutions.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended Gandhi, saying the Congress leader had exposed “voter fraud” with evidence.
He demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation, alleging, “Narendra Modi has become the Prime Minister by misusing the Election Commission, stealing votes and misusing power. He has no moral right to continue in office. He should resign immediately and dissolve the government.”
