New Delhi, August 7 — Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has come out strongly in support of Rahul Gandhi’s recent explosive claim that the BJP-led government has participated in widespread electoral manipulation, or “vote chori” as Gandhi put it (vote theft). In a bold statement made on Tuesday, Tharoor emphasized that Indian democracy is “too precious to be compromised” and urged for immediate institutional action and public awareness to safeguard the electoral process.
Rahul Gandhi, during a public rally in Maharashtra earlier this week, alleged that electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been compromised in multiple constituencies and claimed that democracy is under “assault by the ruling party”. He called for an independent investigation and nationwide movement to protect the sanctity of the ballot.
Tharoor, known for his articulate and nuanced approach to political discourse, echoed Gandhi’s concern during an interaction with the media in Thiruvananthapuram. He said, “If there is even the faintest concern about electoral manipulation, it must be taken seriously. Democracy is too precious, and its foundation—the vote—must be protected at all costs.”
A Threat to Democratic Integrity?
Rahul Gandhi’s allegations are not new, but they have gained renewed traction ahead of the 2025 assembly elections in several states, including Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand. His remarks come in the backdrop of several viral videos and anecdotal reports surfacing online that purport to show voting irregularities, although none have yet been officially verified.
In one of his strongest addresses this year, Gandhi said, “BJP is not winning elections. They are stealing votes. This is not a defeat of Congress but of democracy.” His comment sparked reactions from across the political spectrum, with BJP leaders calling it an “insult to the people’s mandate”.
However, Tharoor added depth to Gandhi’s concerns by connecting them to global trends of democratic backsliding. “We are seeing around the world how institutions are being undermined in democratic countries. India cannot afford to go down that path. Electoral trust is the backbone of any democracy,” Tharoor warned.
BJP Dismisses Claims as “Baseless”
Quick to respond, BJP spokesman Sambit Patra dismissed the accusations as “a desperate narrative being pushed by a party that has lost people’s confidence.”He said, “Every time Congress loses, they blame EVMs. But when they win, they call it people’s mandate. This hypocrisy is transparent.”
The Election Commission of India (ECI), in a brief response, said that all complaints related to EVM functioning are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. However, they reiterated that EVMs are tamper-proof and have been used successfully in over two decades of Indian elections.
Civil Society and Opposition Rallying Together?
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks have found support beyond the Congress party. Leaders from the Samajwadi Party, RJD, and even civil society activists have demanded greater transparency and the reintroduction of VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) auditing on a larger scale.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, “Rahul Gandhi has dared to speak what many fear to say aloud. The time has come for all democratic forces to come together and ensure free and fair elections in 2025 and beyond.”
Notably, some public interest litigation (PIL) petitions have also been filed in various High Courts asking for greater scrutiny of EVMs and independent oversight during counting.
Congress Plans Nationwide Awareness Drive
Sources within the Congress party have confirmed that the leadership is planning a multi-pronged campaign—both on the ground and online—to educate voters about alleged electoral malpractices. The campaign is likely to be titled “Vote Bachao, Loktantra Bachao” (Save the Vote, Save Democracy) and will involve rallies, social media content, and legal advocacy.
“We are not making wild allegations. We are asking for accountability. A democracy that silences questions is already halfway to authoritarianism,” said a senior Congress leader on condition of anonymity.
Election Commission’s Role Under Scrutiny
The impartiality of the Election Commission has also come under public gaze in recent years. Several political analysts have noted that trust in electoral institutions has waned, particularly after controversial incidents involving selective enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.
Political commentator and former IAS officer Yogendra Yadav, while speaking to a national news outlet, said, “India’s electoral democracy is at a tipping point. Allegations, whether true or not, must be met with transparent and institutional answers, not political pushback.”
Public Reaction
Public opinion remains divided. While some social media users lauded Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor for raising the alarm, others accused the Congress of “crying foul” before elections.
A Twitter user wrote, “If Congress cared so much about democracy, they wouldn’t have let it erode during their years in power. Now they are playing victim because they can’t win.”
In contrast, another user replied, “Shashi Tharoor is right—democracy is too valuable to be left unguarded. We need more leaders speaking truth to power.”
Rahul Gandhi/Rahul Gandhi/Rahul Gandhi
The Road Ahead
With assembly elections approaching and the 2026 general election just over a year away, the debate over EVMs and electoral integrity is likely to intensify.Once more, Shashi Tharoor and Rahul Gandhi have brought democratic accountability into the public eye.
Whether this strategy gains traction with the electorate or is seen as political posturing remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the battle for India’s democratic soul is heating up—and in the words of Tharoor, “There can be no compromise on the sanctity of the vote.”
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