Rahul Gandhi Alleges 'Vote Theft' as 727 Voters Removed in Delhi
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi accuses the Election Commission of removing 727 voters from Delhi's Bela Estate, calling it a method of vote theft.
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission, alleging a massive "method of vote theft" in Delhi's Bela Estate. The Congress leader claimed that out of 728 residents living on the banks of the Yamuna, only a single name remains on the voter list after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, effectively disenfranchising 727 people.
The residents of Bela Estate, many of whom have lived in the area for decades, reportedly had their homes demolished in 2023. Despite the demolition, they have remained in the same location. Gandhi noted that these individuals had previously exercised their democratic rights by voting in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the 2025 Delhi elections.
"Having a House Has No Connection to Voting Rights"
During a visit to the area to interact with the residents of the jhuggis, Gandhi expressed his outrage over the deletion of names. He confronted the situation directly with local authorities, stating that the lack of a formal permanent structure should not strip a citizen of their right to vote.
"Today I went to their jhuggi and heard directly from them what the Election Commission has done to them," Gandhi said. He pointed out a contradiction in the Commission's own logic, noting that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar had previously stated that 'House Number 0' is designated for the homeless.
"Yet, 727 people's names have been struck off. This isn't SIR – this is a method of vote theft," the Leader of Opposition remarked, adding that the system must be held accountable for snatching power from those who already have the least.
Serious Allegations Against the CEC
This incident follows a series of heavy criticisms directed at CEC Gyanesh Kumar. On Saturday, Gandhi accused the CEC of "match-fixing elections," citing a report from a Malayalam news channel regarding Kumar's alleged past political inclinations.
The allegations stem from claims made by former Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson. According to the report, in 2016, while Kumar was still in government service, he allegedly approached Thomson during a flight to Delhi. Thomson claimed that Kumar suggested he contest the 2019 elections on a BJP ticket, promising him a path to becoming an MP and subsequently a Minister.
Thomson stated that he turned down the offer, noting that there is a limit to political interference in civil service. Gandhi used these reports to argue that the current leadership of the poll panel is compromised, suggesting that the umpire has been placed in charge of a "match-fixed" process.
Internal Friction within the Election Commission?
The controversy comes at a time when the Election Commission is facing scrutiny over its internal decision-making processes. Recent reports suggested that the SIR process was not a unified front, with two of the three Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, reportedly raising objections to certain decisions and orders issued without their knowledge.
However, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has moved to defend its integrity. In a clarification issued on Saturday, the Commission maintained that all decisions regarding the schedule and execution of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were made with the unanimous approval of the Commission.