Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], August 10 : Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Sunday supported Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's claims of "vote theft" and said that the Congress leader has presented the truth, given evidence, after which the Bharatiya Janata Party is rattled.
Speaking to ANI, the Congress leader said, "Rahul Gandhi presented the truth...He gave evidence...This rattles BJP. So, when we demand answers from the Election Commission, it is the BJP that is getting up. Because thieves are scared."
On August 7, Rahul Gandhi held a press conference, 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." Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) of 1,00,250 votes."
He also asked the Maharashtra Chief Minister whether, when he commented on Rahul Gandhi that his memory chip is malfunctioning, he would ask the same of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
"Nitin Gadkari had said that 3.5 lakh of his votes were cut. Does this mean there was a plan to target him and make him lose elections here? This is a question too...It means it is clear that the voter list is rigged. We would like to ask the CM, that when he commented on Rahul Gandhi that his memory chip is malfunctioning, will he ask the same to Gadkari sahab?..."
Earlier in day, after Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi over his "vote theft" claims, Congress MP KC Venugopal criticised the Election Commission, stating that instead of responding, ECI is issuing a notice.
Speaking to ANI, the Congress MP stated that the Congress party is "not afraid" of any notice from the ECI and they will continue to stand for the truth.
"Rahul Gandhi as a Leader of the Opposition has clearly asked five pertinent questions to the Election Commission of India with evidence. Instead of responding to those five questions, they are issuing a notice to Rahul Gandhi. We are not afraid of any notice from the Election Commission of India. We will continue to stand for the truth. People of India should know the truth. The people who are trying to kill democracy and those safeguarding those who want to kill democracy have to be exposed," Venugopal said.
The Congress MP also took to X to criticise the polling body, stating, "Rahul ji's mega expose was based on ECI's own data. So now, after he has caught you red-handed, you want him to "provide the relevant documents"? Let's be crystal clear - the data is YOUR OWN VOTER LIST."