New Delhi [India], August 8 : Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday dismissed allegations made by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi against the Election Commission, stating that neither his party nor his party workers believe in his claims.
Speaking to reporters, the Union Minister, citing Rahul Gandhi's statement, said if there are common entries, then Special Intensive Review (SIR) becomes all the more important. He further asked Congress to decide whether they are supporting or opposing SIR.
"I have said this earlier too, that neither his political party nor his party workers believe what he says. So, I think the country also need not take his words very seriously...In his press conference yesterday, Rahul Gandhi presented data collected through software and discussed common entries across different states. I want to ask one thing: if there indeed are common entries, then Special Intensive Review (SIR) becomes all the more important. He and his party have to decide whether they are supporting or opposing SIR," Shekhawat stated.
These came in response to a press conference held by Rahul Gandhi on August 7, where he claimed that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were "choreographed" by the EC to benefit the BJP, which he said appeared "immune to anti-incumbency."
Citing internal analysis, Gandhi said the Congress expected to win 16 seats in Karnataka but ended up with only nine. He said the Congress investigated seven unexpected losses, zeroing in on Mahadevapura, where he alleged vote theft involving 1,00,250 votes.
Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) of 1,00,250 votes.
"Our internal polling told us we would win 16 seats in Karnataka; we won nine. We then focused on seven unexpected losses. We focused on Mahadevapur...All data is 2024 data from the Election Commission; the total votes polled in the Lok Sabha were 6.26 lakhs. The BJP won with 6,58,915, securing a margin of 32,707. But then we look at Mahadevapura, where Congress polls 1,15,586 and BJP polls 2,29,632. Congress wins all Vidhan Sabhas but this one," the Congress leader said.
"We found 1,00,250 votes stolen. Stolen in five different ways. Duplicate voters, fake and invalid addresses, and bulk voters in a single address, on a building with 50-60 people living. But when we go there, no record of those people living there. One family living in that house," he said.