Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during the Bharat Voter Adhikar Yatra, accused the BJP of deleting over 65 lakh voter names, mainly from marginalized communities. He warned that losing voting rights threatens democracy itself and urged citizens to resist what he called a planned attempt to silence the poor and minorities.
Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday raised a strong alarm over the alleged large-scale deletion of voter names across the country. Addressing a gathering during the twelfth day of his Bharat Voter Adhikar Yatra, Gandhi claimed that more than 65 lakh genuine names have been removed from the electoral rolls, calling it part of a “wider conspiracy” to undermine democracy by replacing legitimate voters with fake ones.
According to him, the move was not a random error, but a systematic attempt to target certain social groups. “They haven’t deleted the names of the rich. Only the poor, Dalits, OBCs, EBCs, and minorities have been struck off the voter rolls. This is not an accident. It’s a plan,” Gandhi told the gathering, while holding up a copy of the Indian Constitution.
Warning against erosion of rights
Emphasizing the importance of the ballot in a democracy, Gandhi warned that losing voting rights could have far-reaching consequences. “If the right to vote is lost, everything is lost,” he declared, urging people to recognize what he described as a deliberate effort to silence disadvantaged communities.
He further cautioned that the alleged disenfranchisement of voters was only the beginning of a broader assault on citizens’ rights. “First they will take your vote, then your ration card, then your land — and finally, all your rights,” Gandhi said.
Karnataka case as an example
Pointing to past incidents, Gandhi cited the example of Mahadevapura in Karnataka, where the Congress had earlier alleged electoral fraud involving fake voters. He claimed that this manipulation ultimately gave the BJP an unfair advantage in the Bangalore Central seat. “We caught them stealing votes in Karnataka. Bihar will not be their next playground,” Gandhi added, making it clear that his party intends to resist similar attempts elsewhere.
INDIA bloc’s united stand
The event also witnessed the presence of several INDIA bloc leaders, signaling a broad opposition consensus on the issue. Prominent figures such as Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, and Rajesh Ram joined Gandhi on stage, underlining the alliance’s joint commitment to safeguarding electoral rights.
Yadav echoed Gandhi’s concerns, warning that what he described as “selective deletion” of votes disproportionately affects marginalized sections of society. He insisted that the fight to protect the fundamental right to vote is essential for preserving India’s democracy.
Message to the Election Commission
Rahul Gandhi clarified that the Bharat Voter Adhikar Yatra was not a mere symbolic gesture but a direct message to the Election Commission and the ruling BJP. He asserted that voter suppression would not be tolerated and that the opposition would remain vigilant in exposing and resisting such practices.
“The Constitution gives equal rights to every citizen of this country. No government has the authority to snatch that away. This yatra is not just about politics — it is about protecting democracy itself,” Gandhi said.
Larger political implications
The controversy over alleged voter roll deletions comes at a politically sensitive time, as the country prepares for upcoming elections in several states. Gandhi’s remarks suggest that the Congress and its allies plan to make the issue of electoral integrity and voter rights a central theme of their campaign strategy.
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By drawing attention to the alleged disenfranchisement of Dalits, OBCs, minorities, and the poor, the opposition is seeking to mobilize large sections of society who feel vulnerable to systemic exclusion. Analysts note that such messaging could become a powerful rallying point in the lead-up to national elections, especially if the opposition succeeds in convincing voters that democracy itself is under threat.
As Gandhi put it bluntly to his audience: “This fight is not just about one election. It is about whether the people of India will continue to have the right to choose their future.”
