The INDIA bloc on Friday (October 9) submitted a four-point memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, alleging large-scale electoral manipulation by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and seeking sweeping changes to the election system. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi later claimed that Murmu “did not deny” the allegations during the meeting. Instead of questioning or arguing with the Opposition leaders, she asked them to submit proof of their claims, he said. The meeting comes amid protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.<h2>What are the INDIA bloc’s four demands?</h2>The memorandum accuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of undermining India’s electoral system. It alleges that electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter lists were manipulated in several elections.The bloc’s four demands are:<ul><li>Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation: Remove the Chief Election Commissioner and repeal the 2023 law granting immunity to election commissioners for acts performed in their official capacity.</li><li>Restore deleted voter names: Suspend the SIR process and reinstate 13.30 crore voters allegedly removed from electoral rolls.</li><li>Return to paper ballots: Replace EVM-based voting with paper ballots for all elections.</li><li>Repeal disputed elections: Annul Assembly elections held over the past two years where the bloc claims conclusive evidence of “vote chori” exists.</li></ul><h2>Why has the bloc approached Murmu?</h2>The leaders argued that Article 326 of the Constitution, which provides for adult suffrage, underpins representative democracy. They accused the Election Commission of failing to safeguard that right and alleged irregularities in elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Delhi and West Bengal.The memorandum said the President’s office was a final recourse when other avenues had failed. The allegations against the BJP and the Election Commission remain claims made by the Opposition. &nbsp;

The INDIA bloc urged President Murmu to act on four demands over alleged ‘vote chori’. Rahul Gandhi said she did not deny the claims but asked Opposition leaders to submit proof.

The INDIA bloc on Friday (October 9) submitted a four-point memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, alleging large-scale electoral manipulation by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and seeking sweeping changes to the election system. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi later claimed that Murmu “did not deny” the allegations during the meeting. Instead of questioning or arguing with the Opposition leaders, she asked them to submit proof of their claims, he said. The meeting comes amid protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. What are the INDIA bloc’s four demands? The memorandum accuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of undermining India’s electoral system. It alleges that electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter lists were manipulated in several elections. The bloc’s four demands are: Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation: Remove the Chief Election Commissioner and repeal the 2023 law granting immunity to election commissioners for acts performed in their official capacity. Restore deleted voter names: Suspend the SIR process and reinstate 13.30 crore voters allegedly removed from electoral rolls. Return to paper ballots: Replace EVM-based voting with paper ballots for all elections. Repeal disputed elections: Annul Assembly elections held over the past two years where the bloc claims conclusive evidence of “vote chori” exists. Why has the bloc approached Murmu? The leaders argued that Article 326 of the Constitution, which provides for adult suffrage, underpins representative democracy. They accused the Election Commission of failing to safeguard that right and alleged irregularities in elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Delhi and West Bengal. The memorandum said the President’s office was a final recourse when other avenues had failed. The allegations against the BJP and the Election Commission remain claims made by the Opposition.

The INDIA bloc urged President Murmu to act on four demands over alleged ‘vote chori’. Rahul Gandhi said she did not deny the claims but asked Opposition leaders to submit proof.

From CEC’s resignation to paper ballots: INDIA bloc’s 4 demands to President Murmu

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday (Oct 9) claimed that Indian President Droupadi Murmu “did not deny” the alleged “vote chori” after meeting with INDIA bloc leaders. Instead of “questioning” or “arguing” their statements, the President asked the Opposition leaders to submit proof of the accusations made against the ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This comes amid ongoing protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Gandhi said, “The main thing is that I expected the President of India to deny that ‘vote chori’ was taking place. I expected her to say that India has a free and fair electoral system. I was shocked and stunned that the President of India accepted what we said.”Gandhi added, “I sat in quite an unbelievable meeting. First, we took a memorandum to the President of India. In that memorandum, we clearly stated that the Prime Minister, HM Amit Shah, and CEC Gyanesh Kumar had conspired to destroy Indian democracy.”He said that the President “in no way denied what we said, questioned what we said, or argued what we said.” Gandhi said that the President “accepted” their statements and then “told us that we needed to provide her with proof of ‘election chori’.”&nbsp;He further added, “I said that the evidence of ‘election chori’ is known to the entire country. State after state has been stolen. The 2024 election was stolen, and yet the President wants us to submit proof to her. This same group of people will be very happy to present the evidence of 'election chori' that we have collected to the President of India when she is ready to accept it.”<h2>What is INDIA bloc demanding?</h2>The INDIA bloc’s memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu called for sweeping changes to the electoral system, including the removal and prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition alliance also demanded the withdrawal of parliamentary immunity granted to the CEC and urged the government to replace Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with paper ballots.Another key demand was an immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, along with the reinstatement of millions of names allegedly deleted from voter lists across several states.The demands came as opposition MPs and INDIA bloc leaders marched from Parliament towards Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, escalating their protest against the Election Commission and pressing for Kumar’s resignation.

Rahul Gandhi claimed President Droupadi Murmu did not deny the Opposition’s ‘vote chori’ allegations during a meeting, but asked INDIA bloc leaders to submit evidence of alleged electoral fraud.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday (Oct 9) claimed that Indian President Droupadi Murmu “did not deny” the alleged “vote chori” after meeting with INDIA bloc leaders. Instead of “questioning” or “arguing” their statements, the President asked the Opposition leaders to submit proof of the accusations made against the ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This comes amid ongoing protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Gandhi said, “The main thing is that I expected the President of India to deny that ‘vote chori’ was taking place. I expected her to say that India has a free and fair electoral system. I was shocked and stunned that the President of India accepted what we said.” Gandhi added, “I sat in quite an unbelievable meeting. First, we took a memorandum to the President of India. In that memorandum, we clearly stated that the Prime Minister, HM Amit Shah, and CEC Gyanesh Kumar had conspired to destroy Indian democracy.” He said that the President “in no way denied what we said, questioned what we said, or argued what we said.” Gandhi said that the President “accepted” their statements and then “told us that we needed to provide her with proof of ‘election chori’.” He further added, “I said that the evidence of ‘election chori’ is known to the entire country. State after state has been stolen. The 2024 election was stolen, and yet the President wants us to submit proof to her. This same group of people will be very happy to present the evidence of 'election chori' that we have collected to the President of India when she is ready to accept it.” What is INDIA bloc demanding? The INDIA bloc’s memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu called for sweeping changes to the electoral system, including the removal and prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition alliance also demanded the withdrawal of parliamentary immunity granted to the CEC and urged the government to replace Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with paper ballots. Another key demand was an immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, along with the reinstatement of millions of names allegedly deleted from voter lists across several states. The demands came as opposition MPs and INDIA bloc leaders marched from Parliament towards Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, escalating their protest against the Election Commission and pressing for Kumar’s resignation.

Rahul Gandhi claimed President Droupadi Murmu did not deny the Opposition’s ‘vote chori’ allegations during a meeting, but asked INDIA bloc leaders to submit evidence of alleged electoral fraud.

‘An unbelievable meeting’: Rahul Gandhi claims President Murmu did not deny ‘vote chori’, sought proof

About 272 eminent citizens of the country, including retired judges, bureaucrats, former army officers, and diplomats, have slammed the Congress party and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for the serious allegations against the Election Commission under the ‘vote chori’ campaign. They have put out an open letter saying the allegations are an “attempt to drape political frustration in the garb of institutional crisis”. The letter, titled “Assault on National Constitutional Authorities,” said that opposition leaders were attempting to manufacture a sense of institutional breakdown through what it described as “venomous rhetoric” and “provocative but unsubstantiated accusations.” The 272 signatories to the letter include 16 retired judges, 123 former bureaucrats, 133 retired Army officers, and 14 former ambassadors.&nbsp;“We, the senior citizens of civil society, express our grave concern that India’s democracy is under assault, not by force, but by a rising tide of venomous rhetoric directed toward its foundational institutions. Some political leaders, instead of offering genuine policy alternatives, resort to provocative but unsubstantiated accusations in their theatrical political strategy.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bangladesh-to-petition-interpol-for-sheikh-hasina-s-extradition-from-india-reports-1763555305970">Bangladesh to petition Interpol for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition from India: Reports</a>&nbsp;“After their attempts to tarnish the Indian Armed Forces by questioning their valour and accomplishments, and the Judiciary by questioning its fairness, Parliament, and its constitutional functionaries, now it is the turn of the Election Commission of India to face systematic and conspiratorial attacks on its integrity and reputation,” the letter says.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">272 eminent citizens, consisting of 16 Judges, 123 retired bureaucrats, including 14 Ambassadors, 133 retired armed forces officers, write an open letter condemning the LoP and the Congress Party’s attempts to tarnish constitutional bodies like the Election Commission of India.… <a href="https://t.co/lcHnboFV57">pic.twitter.com/lcHnboFV57</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1991036034692649236?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;The letter says that Rahul has repeatedly attacked the EC and declared that he has proof that it is involved in vote theft. It describes Rahul’s “atom bomb” remarks as “unbelievably uncouth rhetoric”. “Yet, despite such scathing accusations, there has been no formal complaint filed by him, along with the prescribed sworn affidavit, to escape his accountability for levelling unsubstantiated allegations and threatening public servants in performance of their duty,” it says.&nbsp;“Moreover, several senior figures of Congress and other political parties, leftist NGOs, ideologically opinionated scholars, and a few attention seekers in other walks of life have joined in with similarly blistering rhetoric against SIR, even declaring that the Commission has descended into complete shamelessness by acting like the ‘B-team of the BJP’. These accusations are an attempt to drape political frustration in the garb of institutional crisis,” the statement says.&nbsp;The letter says the Congress leader’s behaviour reflects what might be called “impotent rage—deep anger born of repeated electoral failure and frustration, without a concrete plan to reconnect with the people.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-india-remains-committed-to-best-interests-of-bangladesh-mea-responds-to-tribunal-s-ruling-on-sheikh-hasina-1763397147248">'India remains committed to best interests of Bangladesh': MEA responds to tribunal's ruling on Sheikh Hasina</a>&nbsp;“When political leaders lose touch with the aspirations of ordinary citizens, they lash out at institutions instead of rebuilding their credibility. Theatrics replace analysis. Public spectacle takes the place of public service. The irony is stark: when electoral outcomes are favourable in certain States where opposition-driven political parties form governments, criticism of the Election Commission disappears. When they are unfavourable in certain states, the Commission becomes the villain in every narrative. This selective outrage exposes opportunism, not conviction. It is a convenient deflection: to give the impression that loss is not a result of strategy, but conspiracy,” it says.&nbsp;The letter refers to former Chief Election Commissioners TN Seshan and N Gopalaswami and says their unyielding leadership transformed the Election Commission into a formidable constitutional sentinel.“They did not court popularity. They did not chase headlines. They enforced the rules - fearlessly, impartially, relentlessly. Under them, the Commission gained moral and institutional teeth. It became a guardian, not a bystander... Now is the time for civil society and the citizens of India to stand firmly with the Election Commission, not out of flattery, but out of conviction,” the signatories say.&nbsp;Watch: Red Fort Blast Probe Triggers Prison Sweeps: Devices Seized In Jail Raids Across J&amp;K<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/red-fort-blast-probe-triggers-prison-sweeps-devices-seized-in-jail-raids-across-j-k-1763562196364/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/red-fort-blast-probe-triggers-prison-sweeps-devices-seized-in-jail-raids-across-j-k-1763562196364/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The letter further says that countries across the world have adopted a firm stance on illegal immigration. “If other nations guard the electoral integrity of their states so resolutely, India must be equally proactive. The sanctity of our electoral rolls is not a partisan issue - it is a national imperative,” it says.

The letter, titled “Assault on National Constitutional Authorities,” said that opposition leaders were attempting to manufacture a sense of institutional breakdown through what it described as “venomous rhetoric” and “provocative but unsubstantiated accusations.”

About 272 eminent citizens of the country, including retired judges, bureaucrats, former army officers, and diplomats, have slammed the Congress party and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for the serious allegations against the Election Commission under the ‘vote chori’ campaign. They have put out an open letter saying the allegations are an “attempt to drape political frustration in the garb of institutional crisis”. The letter, titled “Assault on National Constitutional Authorities,” said that opposition leaders were attempting to manufacture a sense of institutional breakdown through what it described as “venomous rhetoric” and “provocative but unsubstantiated accusations.” The 272 signatories to the letter include 16 retired judges, 123 former bureaucrats, 133 retired Army officers, and 14 former ambassadors. “We, the senior citizens of civil society, express our grave concern that India’s democracy is under assault, not by force, but by a rising tide of venomous rhetoric directed toward its foundational institutions. Some political leaders, instead of offering genuine policy alternatives, resort to provocative but unsubstantiated accusations in their theatrical political strategy.” Also Read: Bangladesh to petition Interpol for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition from India: Reports “After their attempts to tarnish the Indian Armed Forces by questioning their valour and accomplishments, and the Judiciary by questioning its fairness, Parliament, and its constitutional functionaries, now it is the turn of the Election Commission of India to face systematic and conspiratorial attacks on its integrity and reputation,” the letter says.

The letter, titled “Assault on National Constitutional Authorities,” said that opposition leaders were attempting to manufacture a sense of institutional breakdown through what it described as “venomous rhetoric” and “provocative but unsubstantiated accusations.”

‘Failure, frustration, impotent rage’: Over 272 eminent citizens slam Rahul’s attack on EC

Congress will hold a rally against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Ramlila Maidan in Delhi in the first week of December. The rally is being held after the completion of a nationwide signature campaign against the 'vote-chori' allegations under which the party collected five crore signatures from across the country.&nbsp;A meeting of the PCC presidents, CLP leaders, general secretaries, in-charges, secretaries and senior leaders from twelve states, where the SIR process is underway, was held here today, which was presided over by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.&nbsp;Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal were among those present. Kharge later said that the Congress Party is unequivocally committed to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral rolls. He said the Election Commission's "conduct during the SIR process has been deeply disappointing".&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/prashant-kishor-jan-suraaj-breaks-silence-on-bihar-election-loss-announces-maun-upvas-1763451213755">'We have made mistakes, but...': Prashant Kishor breaks silence on Bihar poll loss, announces ‘maun upvas’</a>&nbsp;"It must immediately demonstrate that it is not operating under the BJP's shadow and it remembers its Constitutional oath and allegiance to the people of India, not to any ruling party," Kharge said.&nbsp;He said the Congress firmly believes that the BJP is attempting to weaponise the SIR process for vote-chori. "And if the EC chooses to look the other way, that failure is not just administrative - it becomes a complicity of silence", he remarked.&nbsp;Kharge said that party workers and office-bearers at the block and district levels will remain relentlessly vigilant. "We will expose every attempt, however subtle, to delete genuine voters or insert bogus ones", he warned, adding, "the Congress Party will not allow democratic safeguards to be eroded by partisan misuse of institutions".&nbsp;Talking to reporters later, Venugopal alleged that the Election Commission is purposefully trying to delete the votes of some sections of society. "The design of the SIR is to delete targeted votes", he said, giving the example of Bihar.&nbsp;He said the SIR would normally take six months to a year to complete, but the "process is being rushed through within one month" and alleged that some BLOs in states like Kerala, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have committed suicide due to the work pressure.&nbsp;Venugopal stated that in Kerala, the local body elections are going on, and the first phase of polls will be taking place on December 9.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-election-results-2025-analysis-is-jungle-raj-era-of-lalu-family-rule-over-or-is-it-too-early-to-write-off-rjd-1763113019443">Bihar Election Results 2025 Analysis: Is ‘Jungle Raj’ era of Lalu family rule over, or is it too early to write off RJD?</a>&nbsp;"Kerala Assembly passed a resolution to postpone the SIR exercise. Even the Kerala Chief Election Officer requested the CEC that this was not the right time to conduct SIR in the state. All political parties except the BJP demanded the same thing, but the Election Commission doesn't listen to anything. They are working on behalf of the BJP and Narendra Modi. This is surprising," he said.&nbsp;"Today, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi alerted the PCCs about this sinister attempt of the Election Commission. We are going to fight against these things. The motive of the Election Commission is to destroy democracy and opposition parties. In the first week of December, Congress will hold a massive rally on this issue (SIR) in Ramlila Maidan," he added.&nbsp;Party leader Pawan Khera said during today's meeting, there was a unanimous voice "against the politicisation" of the ECI. "What happened in Bihar is now being tried everywhere in India", he said, adding, "everyone in the meeting agreed that the SIR is for deleting votes, not for adding names."

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the party firmly believes that the BJP is attempting to weaponise the SIR process for vote-chori. "And if the EC chooses to look the other way, that failure is not just administrative - it becomes a complicity of silence"

Congress will hold a rally against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Ramlila Maidan in Delhi in the first week of December. The rally is being held after the completion of a nationwide signature campaign against the 'vote-chori' allegations under which the party collected five crore signatures from across the country. A meeting of the PCC presidents, CLP leaders, general secretaries, in-charges, secretaries and senior leaders from twelve states, where the SIR process is underway, was held here today, which was presided over by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal were among those present. Kharge later said that the Congress Party is unequivocally committed to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral rolls. He said the Election Commission's "conduct during the SIR process has been deeply disappointing". Also Read: 'We have made mistakes, but...': Prashant Kishor breaks silence on Bihar poll loss, announces ‘maun upvas’ "It must immediately demonstrate that it is not operating under the BJP's shadow and it remembers its Constitutional oath and allegiance to the people of India, not to any ruling party," Kharge said. He said the Congress firmly believes that the BJP is attempting to weaponise the SIR process for vote-chori. "And if the EC chooses to look the other way, that failure is not just administrative - it becomes a complicity of silence", he remarked. Kharge said that party workers and office-bearers at the block and district levels will remain relentlessly vigilant. "We will expose every attempt, however subtle, to delete genuine voters or insert bogus ones", he warned, adding, "the Congress Party will not allow democratic safeguards to be eroded by partisan misuse of institutions". Talking to reporters later, Venugopal alleged that the Election Commission is purposefully trying to delete the votes of some sections of society. "The design of the SIR is to delete targeted votes", he said, giving the example of Bihar. He said the SIR would normally take six months to a year to complete, but the "process is being rushed through within one month" and alleged that some BLOs in states like Kerala, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have committed suicide due to the work pressure. Venugopal stated that in Kerala, the local body elections are going on, and the first phase of polls will be taking place on December 9. Also Read: Bihar Election Results 2025 Analysis: Is ‘Jungle Raj’ era of Lalu family rule over, or is it too early to write off RJD? "Kerala Assembly passed a resolution to postpone the SIR exercise. Even the Kerala Chief Election Officer requested the CEC that this was not the right time to conduct SIR in the state. All political parties except the BJP demanded the same thing, but the Election Commission doesn't listen to anything. They are working on behalf of the BJP and Narendra Modi. This is surprising," he said. "Today, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi alerted the PCCs about this sinister attempt of the Election Commission. We are going to fight against these things. The motive of the Election Commission is to destroy democracy and opposition parties. In the first week of December, Congress will hold a massive rally on this issue (SIR) in Ramlila Maidan," he added. Party leader Pawan Khera said during today's meeting, there was a unanimous voice "against the politicisation" of the ECI. "What happened in Bihar is now being tried everywhere in India", he said, adding, "everyone in the meeting agreed that the SIR is for deleting votes, not for adding names."

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the party firmly believes that the BJP is attempting to weaponise the SIR process for vote-chori. "And if the EC chooses to look the other way, that failure is not just administrative - it becomes a complicity of silence"

Congress to hold rally on SIR issue in Delhi in first week of December after Bihar defeat

Indian Member of Parliament made a sensational claim on Nov 5 and said that a Brazilian model appeared 22 times across polling booths in Haryana under various names such as Seema, Sweety and Saraswati. Soon after his claims went viral, the Brazilian model identified as 'Larrisa' posted a video about it. In her first reaction, she expresses her disbelief over the incident. Speaking in Portuguese, she said that her image when she was 18 or 20 years old is being used in India for 'scam.'&nbsp;"Guys, do you have the photo? I look terrible. No, like, I’ll put the photo myself. Are you using an old photo of mine? My photo is old, okay? I was so young in that photo, like 20, 18 years old. You’re using my photo to do… I don’t even know if it’s some election thing, something people have to vote for. And… in India! They’re making me look like I’m Indian to scam people." She continued, “What kind of craziness is this? What kind of world are we living in?" They are using a photo of mine to run, I don't know if it's an election, something where you have to vote. And in India, they are portraying me as an Indian woman to scam others, folks," she added.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">The Brazilian Model Larissa responds to <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RahulGandhi</a> Vote Chori allegation using her pictures in the press conference. She seems surprised 🔔 I have added subtitles (since she spoke in Portuguese) 🔥🔥🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FI</a> <a href="https://t.co/1T6YZc0KId">pic.twitter.com/1T6YZc0KId</a>&mdash; Fundamental Investor ™ 🇮🇳 (@FI_InvestIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/FI_InvestIndia/status/1986125990519840826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What were Rahul Gandhi's claims?</h2>Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi doubling down on his election fraud allegations, accused the Election Commission and the BJP of “colluding to ensure Congress lost in Haryana”. He said that the Brazilian model’s photo was used in 10 booths to enable fake voters to cast fraudulent votes. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday (Nov 5), Gandhi alleged that '25 lakh votes were stolen' in Haryana and cited an example of a woman whose photograph, actually belonging to a Brazilian model, appeared 22 times in the state’s voter rolls. “Who is this lady? What is her name? Where does she come from? But she votes 22 times in Haryana, at 10 different booths, and has multiple names: Seema, Sweety, Saraswati, Rashmi, Vilma... But turns out she is actually a Brazilian model,” he alleged. "This lady gets to vote 100 times in Haryana if she feels like. This is to create space so that anybody can vote, so that BJP people can move, come from other states and vote," Gandhi asserted. The leader of the opposition displayed another woman's photograph and claimed she featured 223 times in the voter list of two polling booths.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">ये कौन हैं?? कभी सीमा, कभी स्वीटी, कभी सरस्वती... जब ब्राजील की मॉडल के नाम से हरियाणा में 10 अलग-अलग जगह वोट डाले जा सकते हैं, तो ये आसानी से समझा जा सकता है कि ये चुनाव नहीं, दिन दहाड़े डकैती हो रही है... <a href="https://t.co/8uzqlyDUVb">pic.twitter.com/8uzqlyDUVb</a>&mdash; Shilpi Yadav शिल्पी यादव (@ShilpiYlucknow) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShilpiYlucknow/status/1986008209736491290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rahul Gandhi alleged massive voter fraud in Haryana, claiming a Brazilian model’s photo appeared 22 times under fake names to enable bogus voting. The model, Larissa, reacted in disbelief, saying her old photos were misused in India. Gandhi accused the BJP and EC of collusion.

Indian Member of Parliament made a sensational claim on Nov 5 and said that a Brazilian model appeared 22 times across polling booths in Haryana under various names such as Seema, Sweety and Saraswati. Soon after his claims went viral, the Brazilian model identified as 'Larrisa' posted a video about it. In her first reaction, she expresses her disbelief over the incident. Speaking in Portuguese, she said that her image when she was 18 or 20 years old is being used in India for 'scam.' "Guys, do you have the photo? I look terrible. No, like, I’ll put the photo myself. Are you using an old photo of mine? My photo is old, okay? I was so young in that photo, like 20, 18 years old. You’re using my photo to do… I don’t even know if it’s some election thing, something people have to vote for. And… in India! They’re making me look like I’m Indian to scam people." She continued, “What kind of craziness is this? What kind of world are we living in?" They are using a photo of mine to run, I don't know if it's an election, something where you have to vote. And in India, they are portraying me as an Indian woman to scam others, folks," she added.

Rahul Gandhi alleged massive voter fraud in Haryana, claiming a Brazilian model’s photo appeared 22 times under fake names to enable bogus voting. The model, Larissa, reacted in disbelief, saying her old photos were misused in India. Gandhi accused the BJP and EC of collusion.

'To scam others': Brazilian model reacts after Rahul Gandhi claims her photo appeared '22 times' in Haryana voter list

Amplifying his allegations of widespread election fraud through faulty electoral rolls, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday dropped his much-awaited "H Bomb", alleging that 2.5 million votes were stolen in the North Indian state of Haryana, a state which has a total of 20 million voters. "This means one in eight voters in Harayana is fake", the Congress leader said.Addressing a press conference on alleged voter fraud in Haryana Assembly elections, Gandhi said several Congress candidates from the state raised suspicion after the elections that something was wrong. Declaring that Congress would have swept the state. Gandhi further added that Congress was expected to win the elections according to most exit polls. However, the results came in favour of the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) coming back to power with a massive majority.To back his claims, the Rae Bareli Member of Parliament (MP) displayed the photo of a Brazilian model, whose image, he claimed, appeared 22 times across polling booths in Harayana under various names such as Seema, Sweety and Saraswati.“Who is this lady? What is her name? Where does she come from? But she votes 22 times in Haryana, at 10 different booths, and has multiple names: Seema, Sweety, Saraswati, Rashmi, Vilma... But turns out she is actually a Brazilian model,” he alleged.Moreover, Gandhi said that this is the first instance in Haryana's history when the results of postal voting contradicted the results in polling booths."I am questioning the Election Commission and the democratic process in India, and I am doing this with 100 per cent proof. We are sure that a plan was put in motion to convert Congress's landslide victory into a loss," he said.Accusing the Election Commission of working on the behest of the ruling BJP, Gandhi said Congress lost eight constituencies with very narrow margins, including one seat where the margin was only 32 votes. These margins total to 22,779. "Congress party lost Harayana Assembly elections by just 22,779 votes, to give you context, how close it was," he added.Strengthening his claims, he cited another example of case duplication where he highlighted 100 voter IDs with the same woman's image in one assembly segment."This lady gets to vote 100 times in Haryana if she feels like. This is to create space so that anybody can vote, so that BJP people can move, come from other states and vote," Gandhi asserted. The leader of the opposition displayed another woman's photograph and claimed she featured 223 times in the voter list of two polling booths. "This is the reason the Election Commission destroys CCTV footage of booths," he emphasised.

Gandhi alleged that 2.5 million votes were stolen in Haryana, a state which has a total of 20 million voters. "This means one in eight voters in Harayana is fake", the Congress leader said.

Amplifying his allegations of widespread election fraud through faulty electoral rolls, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday dropped his much-awaited "H Bomb", alleging that 2.5 million votes were stolen in the North Indian state of Haryana, a state which has a total of 20 million voters. "This means one in eight voters in Harayana is fake", the Congress leader said. Addressing a press conference on alleged voter fraud in Haryana Assembly elections, Gandhi said several Congress candidates from the state raised suspicion after the elections that something was wrong. Declaring that Congress would have swept the state. Gandhi further added that Congress was expected to win the elections according to most exit polls. However, the results came in favour of the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) coming back to power with a massive majority. To back his claims, the Rae Bareli Member of Parliament (MP) displayed the photo of a Brazilian model, whose image, he claimed, appeared 22 times across polling booths in Harayana under various names such as Seema, Sweety and Saraswati. “Who is this lady? What is her name? Where does she come from? But she votes 22 times in Haryana, at 10 different booths, and has multiple names: Seema, Sweety, Saraswati, Rashmi, Vilma... But turns out she is actually a Brazilian model,” he alleged. Moreover, Gandhi said that this is the first instance in Haryana's history when the results of postal voting contradicted the results in polling booths. "I am questioning the Election Commission and the democratic process in India, and I am doing this with 100 per cent proof. We are sure that a plan was put in motion to convert Congress's landslide victory into a loss," he said. Accusing the Election Commission of working on the behest of the ruling BJP, Gandhi said Congress lost eight constituencies with very narrow margins, including one seat where the margin was only 32 votes. These margins total to 22,779. "Congress party lost Harayana Assembly elections by just 22,779 votes, to give you context, how close it was," he added. Strengthening his claims, he cited another example of case duplication where he highlighted 100 voter IDs with the same woman's image in one assembly segment. "This lady gets to vote 100 times in Haryana if she feels like. This is to create space so that anybody can vote, so that BJP people can move, come from other states and vote," Gandhi asserted. The leader of the opposition displayed another woman's photograph and claimed she featured 223 times in the voter list of two polling booths. "This is the reason the Election Commission destroys CCTV footage of booths," he emphasised.

Gandhi alleged that 2.5 million votes were stolen in Haryana, a state which has a total of 20 million voters. "This means one in eight voters in Harayana is fake", the Congress leader said.

‘Brazilian model voted 22 times’: Rahul Gandhi drops ‘H bomb’ on Haryana polls

Psephologist Sanjay Kumar of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), who had alleged a significant dip in the number of voters in several assembly constituencies of Maharashtra compared to the Lok Sabha election held months earlier, apologised on Tuesday for the ‘error’ and deleted the posts, prompting a huge political slugfest, with the BJP going on an offensive against the Congress. Kumar, who is a professor and co-director of Lokniti, a research programme at the CSDS, had flagged significant voter additions and deletions in the Maharashtra Assembly election.&nbsp;The BJP has accused the research body of putting out unverified data to feed the “fake narrative” of Congress.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>‘I sincerely apologize for the tweets‘</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I sincerely apologize for the tweets posted regarding Maharashtra elections. Error occurred while comparing data of 2024 LS and 2024 AS. The data in row was misread by our Data team. The tweet has since been removed. I had no intention of dispersing any form of misinformation.&mdash; Sanjay Kumar (@sanjaycsds) <a href="https://twitter.com/sanjaycsds/status/1957654145344892931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;“I sincerely apologize for the tweets posted regarding Maharashtra elections. Error occurred while comparing data of 2024 LS and 2024 AS. The data in row was misread by our data team. The tweet has since been removed. I had no intention of dispersing any form of misinformation,” Kumar said in a post on X.&nbsp;He had claimed that the number of voters in the Nashik West and Hingna Assembly constituencies went up by 47 per cent and 43 per cent respectively, between the Lok Sabha elections and Maharashtra assembly polls held this year. He also claimed that the number of voters sharply fell in Ramtek and Devlali seats by 38 per cent and 36 per cent respectively.&nbsp;Congress leaders had used Kumar’s claims in its ‘vote chori’ charge against the Election Commission of India and accused it of colluding with the BJP.&nbsp;<h2>BJP demands apology from Rahul Gandhi</h2>&nbsp;Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya, who is also the party’s IT head, slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying the psephologist whose data was used to level ‘vote chori’ allegations has now admitted that his figures were wrong.Malviya said Rahul Gandhi and the Congress brazenly targeted the Election Commission and went so far as to brand genuine voters as fake and demanded an apology from the Congress leader.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The very institution whose data Rahul Gandhi leaned on to defame the voters of Maharashtra has now admitted that its figures were wrong — not just on Maharashtra, but even on SIR. Where does this leave Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, which brazenly targeted the Election… <a href="https://t.co/4o99YDvsMx">pic.twitter.com/4o99YDvsMx</a>&mdash; Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) <a href="https://twitter.com/amitmalviya/status/1957708368589607221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Malviya also slammed CSDS and psephologist Sanjay Kumar in hard-hitting separate tweets.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The apology is in, and Sanjay Kumar is out. Incidentally, when was the last time this protégé of Yogendra Yadav ever got anything right? In all his projections in the run-up to every single election, the BJP is supposedly losing—and when the reverse happens, he turns up on TV… <a href="https://t.co/QXJvUi6d3B">https://t.co/QXJvUi6d3B</a>&mdash; Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) <a href="https://twitter.com/amitmalviya/status/1957674029327769974?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Election Commission has already trashed the allegations of Rahul Gandhi and asked him to submit an affidavit on the issue or apologise. <h2>CSDS psephologist alleged over 38% dip in voters </h2> In his now-deleted post on Maharashtra elections, Kumar had claimed that in the assembly constituency 59 (Ramtek) number of voters in 2024 stood at 4,66,203 in the Lok Sabha polls and 2,86,931 in the assembly polls, claiming a “-38.45% decrease” in voters.Similarly, Kumar claimed that the number of voters in the assembly constituency (Devlali) in Lok Sabha election was 4,56,072, but came down to 2,88,141 in assembly elections, a “36.82% decrease”. Gandhi alleged ‘vote theft’ in polls by using the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency in Karnataka as a case study. He said the Opposition sensed a problem during the Maharashtra election and started a probe. The INDIA bloc, which won 30 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra last year, could not even cross the 50 mark in assembly polls five months later. Despite Kumar’s admission of error and apology, the Congress is sticking to its allegations. The party said that it might have taken up Kumar’s data, but also corroborated it with evidence it collected from its own sources in Maharashtra.

The faceoff between the INDIA bloc and ECI intensified on August 7 when Rahul Gandhi levelled a "vote chori" charge against the poll body. Rahul also called the ECI's Special Intensive Revision in the poll-bound Bihar a "conspiracy to steal" the upcoming assembly elections.

Psephologist Sanjay Kumar of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), who had alleged a significant dip in the number of voters in several assembly constituencies of Maharashtra compared to the Lok Sabha election held months earlier, apologised on Tuesday for the ‘error’ and deleted the posts, prompting a huge political slugfest, with the BJP going on an offensive against the Congress. Kumar, who is a professor and co-director of Lokniti, a research programme at the CSDS, had flagged significant voter additions and deletions in the Maharashtra Assembly election. The BJP has accused the research body of putting out unverified data to feed the “fake narrative” of Congress. ‘I sincerely apologize for the tweets‘

The faceoff between the INDIA bloc and ECI intensified on August 7 when Rahul Gandhi levelled a "vote chori" charge against the poll body. Rahul also called the ECI's Special Intensive Revision in the poll-bound Bihar a "conspiracy to steal" the upcoming assembly elections.

BJP targets Congress’s ‘vote chori’ allegations after psephologist deletes tweets, apologises for ‘error’

The Election Commission of India (EC) on Sunday pushed back against demands for polling booth CCTV footage, saying sharing it would breach voter privacy. The comments came after Rahul Gandhi accused the Commission of turning a blind eye to what he called “vote chori (theft)”. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar took a tough stance at a press conference in Delhi, calling the Opposition’s remarks an “insult of the Constitution”.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-vote-theft-allegations-insult-of-the-constitution-cec-refutes-oppn-s-charge-of-bias-in-bihar-s-sir-1755423718094">‘Vote theft allegations an insult, few leaders misleading voters:’ CEC refutes Oppn’s charge of bias</a><h2>CEC hits back at Rahul Gandhi’s allegations</h2>Without naming the Congress MP directly, the CEC said, “The ‘chori’ charges are shots being fired at the voters by perching a gun on the EC’s shoulder.” He added, “We want to make it clear, that the EC has fearlessly stood by voters from across sections and religions, and will continue to stand by them like a rock.”<h2>Why machine-readable voter lists were not shared</h2>On the demand for machine-readable voter rolls, the CEC pointed to a 2019 Supreme Court ruling. “The Supreme Court has already held that it could breach a voter’s privacy,” he said. The Commission also cited instances where photos of voters were used in the media without their consent. Kumar warned that such actions put individuals’ rights at risk.<h2>The row over CCTV footage at polling booths</h2>Responding to the push for surveillance footage, Kumar said, “Should the Election Commission share CCTV videos of anyone’s mother, daughter-in-law, sister, or of anyone else?” He argued that with nearly 1.3 crore officials and agents monitoring elections, the process is already transparent. “In such a transparent process, can anyone steal votes?” he asked. The EC said it had seen no proof to back allegations of proxy or duplicate voting.<h2>Rahul Gandhi doubles down in Bihar</h2>Even as the EC briefed the press, Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Bihar, accusing the Commission of shielding irregularities during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. “The entire country knows what the Election Commission is doing,” he told supporters in Sasaram. “Earlier, the country did not know how votes were being stolen. But we made it clear in the press conference how votes are being stolen. Whenever the theft is happening… we will catch the theft and show the people,” he added.The Commission had earlier asked Gandhi to provide proof under oath. At Sunday’s briefing, Kumar declared, “If within seven days I don’t get the oath, it means he is a liar and he blamed my voters as liars.” He also said false accusations “can scare neither the EC nor any voter”.

The Election Commission rejected demands for CCTV footage, citing voter privacy, and called Rahul Gandhi's vote theft claims an insult to the Constitution, defending its impartiality and commitment to voters.

The Election Commission of India (EC) on Sunday pushed back against demands for polling booth CCTV footage, saying sharing it would breach voter privacy. The comments came after Rahul Gandhi accused the Commission of turning a blind eye to what he called “vote chori (theft)”. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar took a tough stance at a press conference in Delhi, calling the Opposition’s remarks an “insult of the Constitution”. Also read: ‘Vote theft allegations an insult, few leaders misleading voters:’ CEC refutes Oppn’s charge of bias CEC hits back at Rahul Gandhi’s allegations Without naming the Congress MP directly, the CEC said, “The ‘chori’ charges are shots being fired at the voters by perching a gun on the EC’s shoulder.” He added, “We want to make it clear, that the EC has fearlessly stood by voters from across sections and religions, and will continue to stand by them like a rock.” Why machine-readable voter lists were not shared On the demand for machine-readable voter rolls, the CEC pointed to a 2019 Supreme Court ruling. “The Supreme Court has already held that it could breach a voter’s privacy,” he said. The Commission also cited instances where photos of voters were used in the media without their consent. Kumar warned that such actions put individuals’ rights at risk. The row over CCTV footage at polling booths Responding to the push for surveillance footage, Kumar said, “Should the Election Commission share CCTV videos of anyone’s mother, daughter-in-law, sister, or of anyone else?” He argued that with nearly 1.3 crore officials and agents monitoring elections, the process is already transparent. “In such a transparent process, can anyone steal votes?” he asked. The EC said it had seen no proof to back allegations of proxy or duplicate voting. Rahul Gandhi doubles down in Bihar Even as the EC briefed the press, Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Bihar, accusing the Commission of shielding irregularities during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. “The entire country knows what the Election Commission is doing,” he told supporters in Sasaram. “Earlier, the country did not know how votes were being stolen. But we made it clear in the press conference how votes are being stolen. Whenever the theft is happening… we will catch the theft and show the people,” he added. The Commission had earlier asked Gandhi to provide proof under oath. At Sunday’s briefing, Kumar declared, “If within seven days I don’t get the oath, it means he is a liar and he blamed my voters as liars.” He also said false accusations “can scare neither the EC nor any voter”.

The Election Commission rejected demands for CCTV footage, citing voter privacy, and called Rahul Gandhi's vote theft claims an insult to the Constitution, defending its impartiality and commitment to voters.

‘Should we share videos of mothers, sisters?’: Here's why EC is refusing to share CCTV footage amid Rahul Gandhi’s ‘vote chori’ charge

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