Hyderabad: Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Monday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his repeated allegations of “vote chori”. Rao accused Gandhi of misleading the public and questioned his credibility, citing clarifications by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Supreme Court.
Rao also launched a personal attack on the Gandhi family, calling them “naam chor” while responding to Gandhi’s allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
“Again and again, Rahul Gandhi is misleading the people with regard to vote chori,” Rao told IANS. He alleged that Gandhi continued to make these claims despite clarifications from the Election Commission and the Supreme Court.
“The Gandhi family, Rahul Gandhi’s family, first of all, they are the chor; they are naam chor. They have stolen the name of Gandhi,” Rao said.
The BJP leader accused Gandhi of misleading people by repeatedly raising the issue of alleged electoral irregularities.
BJP Leader Rejects Claims of Violence and Regime Change
Rao also said India would not witness the kind of violence seen in neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh. He alleged that some political leaders were trying to create unrest in the name of regime change.
Referring to leaders associated with the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJP), Congress leaders and activist Prashant Bhushan, Rao accused them of supporting efforts to bring about regime change through violence.
He said India was a democratic country and would not accept violence or allow foreign powers to influence its political direction. Rao also referred to reports of escalating violence in France and alleged that foreign powers were backing such unrest.
Rahul Gandhi Renews ‘Vote Chori’ Allegations
Rao’s remarks came a day after Rahul Gandhi renewed his attack on the government and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over what he described as “vote chori”.
Addressing a Congress rally in Margao, Goa, on Sunday, Gandhi called the Congress the “guardian of the Constitution” and said alleged electoral theft was an attack on the Constitution.
“Gyanesh Kumar and others will face the law and pay a price for what they have done,” Gandhi said, challenging the government to file a case against him over his repeated allegations.
Gandhi also referred to the 45 cases, including defamation cases, that he said had been filed against him. He claimed that legal action over his vote theft allegations would bring the matter into the courts and expose those he accused.
He further alleged that those responsible for vote theft were worried about being held accountable.
The exchange marks another round of sharp accusations between the BJP and Congress over electoral integrity, the Election Commission and the conduct of political leaders.