Rahul Gandhi Shares Spoof Video Targeting Election Commission Over ‘Vote Theft’ Allegations

Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday renewed his criticism of the Election Commission (EC), intensifying his "vote chori" charge. He posted a spoof video inspired by the Bollywood film Laapataa Ladies, targeting the poll body over alleged irregularities in the voter list.

"Secretly, stealthily...No more now, the public has awakened," Gandhi wrote on X while sharing the video. The clip depicts a middle-aged man entering a police station to file a theft complaint. When asked what was stolen, he replies, "My vote." The policeman, taken aback, questions how a vote can be stolen, to which the man responds, "Lakhs of votes are being stolen through fake votes." The scene concludes with the message: "Stealing someone's vote is stealing their right."

The post came after the EC responded sharply to Gandhi's earlier accusations. On Thursday, the poll body stated that instead of "creating fake narratives" with phrases like vote chori, the Congress leader should provide concrete proof.

"If anyone has any proof of any person actually voting twice in any election, it should be shared with the ECI with a written affidavit rather than colouring all the electors of India as 'chor' without any proof," the EC said in its statement.

Rahul Gandhi's claims against EC

On August 7, Gandhi held an hour-long press conference where he alleged that the EC was engaging in electoral malpractice to benefit the BJP. He presented figures and data to back his claims. The Election Commission, however, has repeatedly asked him to submit a signed declaration substantiating his statements.

INDIA bloc protest

The controversy has also sparked protests by the INDIA bloc, which held a march from Parliament to the Election Commission office in Delhi. The opposition alliance objected to the alleged malpractice and raised concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

Announcement of Voter Adhikar Yatra

Furthering his campaign, Gandhi announced the launch of a Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar against the revision of the state's voter list.

"From August 17, with #VoterAdhikarYatra, we are launching a direct fight against vote theft from the soil of Bihar," he posted on X.

"This is not just an election issue-it is a decisive battle to protect democracy, the constitution, and the principle of 'one man, one vote.' We will ensure a clean voter list across the country. Youth, workers, farmers-every citizen, rise and join this people's movement. This time, the defeat of vote thieves-the victory of the people, the victory of the constitution," Gandhi added.