Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday claimed that every sixth BJP MP in the Lok Sabha secured their position through what he calls ‘vote chori’ or vote theft. Gandhi’s comments raised eyebrows as he provocatively suggested that these MPs should be labeled as ‘ghuspethiya’—a term that implies intrusion or illegitimacy—based on the BJP’s own language.
While addressing the media, Gandhi asserted that if fair elections were conducted, the BJP would struggle to secure even 140 seats in the Lok Sabha. His statements have ignited discussions about the integrity of electoral processes and the legitimacy of political representatives.
“Through vote theft, sometimes individual seats are stolen, and at other times, an entire government. Of the 240 BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha, roughly every sixth MP secured their seat through vote chori,” stated Gandhi in a post on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the issues surrounding current voting practices in India.
His accusations did not stop there; he continued to express disdain for the BJP’s practices during his address. “They are not hard to identify—should we, in the BJP’s own parlance, label them ‘ghuspethiya’? And what of Haryana? There, the entire government itself is an ‘ghuspethiya’,” he asserted, probing deeper into what he perceives as corrupt electoral manipulation.
In a broader context, Gandhi emphasized the implications of these claims for Indian democracy, remarking, “Their real fear is the truth.” He warned that if genuine elections were held, it would expose the fragility of the BJP’s hold on power.
Gandhi’s fiery rhetoric follows prior comments he made on Tuesday in which he characterized the BJP’s victories in Bengal and Assam assembly elections as theft of the public mandate. He argued that these political gains signify a significant threat to the democratic fabric of India.
“Put petty politics aside. This is not about one party or another. This is about India,” he implored, urging unity among opposition parties against what he perceives as BJP’s destructive trajectory for Indian democracy.
The BJP’s political fortunes have drastically changed in regions like West Bengal where they have displaced the historic governance of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Their recent victories in the state elections have prompted intense backlash from rivals, who see these results as indicative of a deeper corruption in the electoral process.
“Some in the Congress and others are gloating about TMC’s loss. They need to understand clearly,” Gandhi added, warning that the BJP’s actions will have lasting repercussions detrimental to democracy.
The results declared on Monday not only marked a successful campaign for the BJP in Assam, where they secured power for the third consecutive term but also highlighted a significant shift in voter sentiment across regions traditionally dominated by the TMC.
Political analysts claim Gandhi’s claims about ‘vote chori’ aim to question the electoral legitimacy enjoyed by the ruling party. They suggest this might galvanize opposition voter bases ahead of future elections.
