Rahul Gandhi Says Modi and Shah’s ‘Expiry Date Is Approaching’, Accuses BJP of Vote Theft
Congress leader alleges voter manipulation ahead of Goa Assembly elections and urges party workers to remain vigilant during polling
Margao: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of manipulating electoral rolls and election results, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would soon face political challenges.
Addressing a rally in Margao, South Goa, ahead of the Goy Rakhonn Yatra, also known as the Save Goa March, Gandhi alleged that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Shah and Modi played different roles in what he described as “vote chori”, or theft of votes.
“Gyanesh Kumar implements the theft of votes. Amit Shah operationalises it, and Narendra Modi orchestrates the entire plan from behind the scenes,” Gandhi said.
The Congress leader noted that he faced more than 45 defamation cases, including cases filed by Modi and Shah, but claimed that no case had been filed against him specifically over his allegations of vote theft. He argued that the absence of such legal action reflected the sensitivity of the issue. These remarks represent Gandhi’s allegations and do not establish that electoral manipulation occurred.
Gandhi alleged that opposition supporters’ names were removed from electoral rolls, while votes for the BJP were inflated and voters shifted between constituencies or brought in from other states. He urged Congress workers to remain alert during elections and report any suspected irregularities.
The remarks came ahead of the 2027 Goa Assembly elections. Gandhi also accused the BJP government in Goa of favouring industrialists at the expense of local residents.
Taking aim at Modi and Shah, Gandhi said their political influence was nearing its end. He declared that the Congress would continue challenging the BJP leadership and questioned Modi’s recent public image.
Protests over voter revision continue
Meanwhile, the Congress’s student wing, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), continued its protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi on Sunday. Police stopped a march from the organisation’s office towards Jantar Mantar.
The Youth Congress also announced plans for a protest at its headquarters on Raisina Road on Monday.
The issue of electoral roll revision and allegations of voter deletions has become a major point of political contention, with opposition parties demanding greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process.