'Govt, EC want to deprive voters': SP, RJD back Rahul Gandhi's charge
Opposition leaders SP and RJD support Rahul Gandhi's allegations of systematic voter deletion by the Election Commission in Delhi's Bela Estate.
In a significant political escalation, major opposition parties including the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have come out in strong support of Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The leaders accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of engaging in "systematic criminal activity" by allegedly attempting to strip citizens of their fundamental right to vote.
Allegations of 'Vote Theft' in Delhi
The controversy erupted following a visit by Rahul Gandhi to Bela Estate, located on the banks of the Yamuna in Delhi. After interacting with local residents, Gandhi raised alarming claims regarding the integrity of the electoral rolls in the area.
According to Gandhi, a staggering 727 out of 728 residents in Bela Estate have had their names struck off the voter list. He highlighted that these residents have lived in the area for decades and have successfully participated in previous elections, including the 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 Delhi elections.
Key grievances raised by Rahul Gandhi:
- Massive Deletions: Out of 728 residents, only one name remains on the voter list.
- Disconnection of Housing and Voting: Despite their homes being demolished in 2023, the residents remain in the same location, yet their voting rights were removed.
- Contradictory Logic: Gandhi pointed out that while Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has previously stated that 'House Number 0' is designated for the homeless, the ECI has still moved to strike off these voters.
"This isn't SIR – this is a method of vote theft," Gandhi stated, emphasizing that having a permanent house is not a prerequisite for the right to vote.
Opposition Leaders Slam the Election Commission
The allegations have triggered a fierce response from other key members of the opposition, who claim that the independence of the democratic process is under threat.
SP: Democracy hinges on ECI independence
Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad argued that the very foundation of Indian democracy depends on an impartial election body. He suggested that there is a concerted effort by the government and the ECI to deprive voters of their rights on a large scale, noting that the depth of democracy can be measured by how independent the Election Commission remains.
RJD: Claims of 'Institutional Bias'
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Jha took a much sharper tone, alleging that evidence of institutional bias has become public knowledge. He accused the Election Commission of operating through a systematic criminal process that benefits certain parties.
In a scathing critique of the current leadership, Jha referred to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as a "puppet" controlled by external forces. He asserted that these issues are not merely a dispute between the ruling party and the opposition, but a matter of national concern regarding the integrity of democratic institutions.