National

ECI Dismisses Rahul Gandhi’s Claims of Maharashtra Election Rigging as ‘Entirely Absurd’

Published

1 year ago

June 8, 2025

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has categorically dismissed the allegations made by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi concerning discrepancies in the Maharashtra electoral rolls, calling his claims “completely absurd.”

In an article published in a prominent national newspaper, Gandhi accused the BJP of orchestrating “match-fixing” in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

This article has ignited a political storm, with opposition parties asserting that it reveals the extent of electoral manipulation ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, further criticizing the ECI for its “silence” on critical concerns raised by the opposition alliance.

In response to these allegations, an official from the election panel clarified that the revision of Maharashtra’s electoral rolls was conducted under the oversight of 103,727 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) designated by various political parties, including 27,099 from the Indian National Congress (INC) itself. The official emphasized that there is no basis for Gandhi’s assertions regarding a compromised electoral process.

The ECI outlined that updates to electoral rolls adhere strictly to Article 324 of the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act of 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules of 1960, along with the Commission’s ongoing instructions.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi called on the Election Commission to address the questions highlighted in his article. “Dear EC, you are a Constitutional body. Releasing unsigned, evasive notes to intermediaries is not a proper response to serious inquiries. If you have nothing to hide, answer the questions in my article and demonstrate transparency by:

– Publishing comprehensive, digital, machine-readable voter rolls for the recent Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections, including those in Maharashtra.
– Releasing all post-5 p.m. CCTV footage from Maharashtra polling booths.

Evasive tactics won’t safeguard your credibility. Truth does,” he posted on X.

Earlier, the ECI condemned what it termed “unsubstantiated allegations” about Maharashtra’s electoral rolls, calling them an affront to the rule of law. The Commission noted that it had already addressed these concerns in a response to the INC on December 24, 2024, available on its website, and criticized the opposition for ignoring these clarifications.

The ECI maintained that disseminating misinformation is “disrespectful to the law” and undermines the integrity of thousands of representatives appointed by political parties, as well as the countless election staff dedicated to conducting fair elections. “Attempting to malign the Election Commission after an unfavorable verdict from voters is completely absurd,” the ECI stated.

Commission sources also questioned why no appeals were lodged if the allegations held any validity. Following the finalization of the electoral rolls for the Maharashtra elections, only 89 appeals were filed before the District Magistrate out of nearly 978 million electors, with just one appeal reaching the Chief Electoral Officer.

On Saturday, Gandhi reiterated claims that the November 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections were “rigged” and warned that similar tactics could be utilized in the upcoming Bihar elections.

Sharing his article on X, he outlined a five-step plan, asserting, “Step 1: Rig the panel for appointing the Election Commission. Step 2: Add fake voters to the rolls. Step 3: Inflate voter turnout. Step 4: Target bogus voting where the BJP needs to win. Step 5: Hide the evidence.”

He likened the alleged electoral manipulation to “match-fixing,” arguing that while the cheaters may succeed, it ultimately jeopardizes democratic institutions and erodes public trust. “It’s evident why the BJP was so desperate in Maharashtra. Rigging is akin to match-fixing. The cheaters might win, but they damage institutions and destroy public faith in the outcome. All concerned citizens must see the evidence, draw their own conclusions, and demand accountability,” Gandhi added.

He cautioned that the “match-fixing” observed in Maharashtra could soon emerge in Bihar and potentially in any state where the BJP is at risk of electoral defeat. “Match-fixed elections are toxic for democracy,” he stated.

National

Man Allegedly Kills Wife, Children, Teen Girl and Her Family

Published

5 days ago

July 11, 2026

Namma Kudla

Hyderabad: A 35-year-old man, identified as Rajkumar, allegedly killed his wife, two young sons, a 17-year-old girl who had accused him of sexual harassment, and the girl’s mother and grandmother in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district.

Police said Rajkumar first killed his wife, Parvathi Saritha (30), and their two sons at their home in Shabad on Friday night. He then allegedly kidnapped the teenage girl, murdered her, and later killed her mother and grandmother.

The accused had been arrested in May under the POCSO Act for allegedly stalking and sexually harassing the girl. He was granted anticipatory bail about a week before the murders.

After the crime, Rajkumar reportedly called his father and confessed before switching off his phone. He is currently absconding, and police have launched a manhunt. The investigation is underway.

National

Wedding celebration Dispute for Served Chicken promising Mutton

Published

6 days ago

July 11, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bihar: A wedding celebration in Bihar turned violent after a dispute over the food served at the reception. Around 12 people were injured in the clash.

The incident took place in Simri Bakhtiyarpur town of Saharsa district on Thursday.

According to officials, the nikah of Mohammad Abdullah alias Chand, son of Mohammad Anwar, was held with the daughter of Mohammad Javed alias Moto at around 3 pm. The wedding ceremony was completed peacefully.

The trouble began during the wedding feast. Members of the groom’s family claimed they had been promised mutton for the meal. However, they were served chicken instead.

The groom’s side objected to the change in the menu. This led to a heated argument between the two families. The argument soon turned into a physical fight.

Several people from both sides were involved in the clash. Some guests were allegedly beaten with sticks. Videos shared on social media also showed people waving swords during the violence.

Around 12 people suffered injuries in the incident. They were admitted to the Sub-Divisional Hospital in Simri Bakhtiyarpur for treatment.

Police reached the venue and brought the situation under control. A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway.

National

Daughter Held for Mother’s Murder; Father’s Death Also Under Scanner?

Published

6 days ago

July 11, 2026

Namma Kudla

Jaipur: A 23-year-old woman, Ayushi Sharma, who was arrested for allegedly plotting her mother’s murder to obtain a government job, is now facing fresh allegations linked to her father’s death.

Ayushi’s uncle has claimed that the death of her father, Vijay Sharma, may not have been natural. He has demanded a police investigation into the case. Police have started looking into the allegation.

According to the police, Ayushi planned the murder of her mother, Neeraj Sharma, with the help of her uncle Mohan Swaroop and her relative Balram alias Ravi. The motive was to gain control of family property and secure her mother’s government job.

Police said the accused paid Rs.7 lakh to contract killers to carry out the murder. The attackers allegedly rammed an SUV into Neeraj Sharma and tried to make it look like a road accident.

Neeraj Sharma, 45, was working as a Lower Division Clerk (LDC) in a court. On July 3, she was returning home after dropping her son at tuition when a speeding Scorpio SUV allegedly hit her near Pratap Nagar. She was thrown nearly 100 feet and died on the spot. The accused fled after the incident.

During the investigation, police examined CCTV footage from the area. They found that the incident was not an accident but a planned murder. The investigation later exposed the conspiracy.

Police have arrested seven people, including Ayushi Sharma, in connection with the case. One accused is still absconding, and efforts are underway to arrest him.

Police said Neeraj Sharma had received the government job on compassionate grounds after the death of her husband about a year ago. Investigators believe Ayushi wanted the job for herself. Police also said there had been a property dispute between the mother and daughter for the past two to three years.

During questioning, Ayushi allegedly told police that she wanted her late father’s government job. However, after his death, the job was given to her mother. She reportedly admitted that this disappointment, along with the property dispute, became the reason for planning the murder.