Rahul Gandhi alleges mass voter deletions in Karnataka, hints at upcoming ‘hydrogen bomb’ revelation

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Sep 18 launched a detailed critique of the Election Commission of India (ECI), presenting allegations that voters were systematically deleted from Congress strongholds in Karnataka ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections.

Gandhi clarified that this presentation is not the “hydrogen bomb” he had referred to earlier in the month, that claim is still being prepared.

At a press conference, Gandhi displayed a PowerPoint highlighting instances where voter records were allegedly removed, including reports of voters discovering their names missing from electoral rolls.

The focus was primarily on the Aland Assembly constituency in Kalaburagi district, a region considered politically sensitive with closely contested elections.

Gandhi also criticized Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the poll body failed to prevent these deletions and had obstructed investigations.

He called for the Election Commission to provide complete data to facilitate proper scrutiny by authorities, including the Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The Congress leader’s comments follow his earlier promise of a “vote chori hydrogen bomb,” intended to expose alleged collusion between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission in committing voter fraud.

However, he clarified that the allegations presented at that time were separate from the ‘hydrogen bomb’, which is being prepared as a future disclosure.

The Election Commission rejected Gandhi’s claims as “incorrect and baseless,” emphasizing that voter deletions cannot be carried out online. Officials reaffirmed that robust safeguards exist to maintain free and fair elections and protect the integrity of electoral rolls.

Political analysts noted that Gandhi’s presentation highlights the ongoing debate over electoral transparency and the management of digital voter rolls in India, especially in constituencies with a history of tight contests.

The controversy has drawn attention to the responsibilities of the Election Commission in ensuring accurate voter data and accountability in electoral processes.

The Congress party stated it will continue pressing for an inquiry into the alleged deletions and may pursue legal remedies if necessary.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission reaffirmed its vigilance, stressing that all protocols are in place to prevent tampering and maintain the integrity of voter lists.

Gandhi’s remarks have intensified discussions on electoral oversight, accountability, and digital voter management, underlining the political sensitivity of the Aland constituency and the broader implications for Karnataka’s election administration.