'Bahana Brigade': BJP Hits Back At Rahul Gandhi's Criticism Of ECI Amid BMC Polls Ink Row

Last Updated:January 16, 2026, 11:33 IST

Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of "gaslighting citizens" after MVA leaders alleged electoral malpractice, claiming the ink used in the BMC polls was easily wiped off.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (IMAGE: PTI)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday lashed out against the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of gaslighting citizens after Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders alleged that the indelible ink used in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections was easily wiped off. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back at Gandhi, accusing him of distorting facts.

Sharing an article on X, Rahul Gandhi said, “Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy. Vote Chori is an anti-national act."

Gandhi’s remarks came after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray claimed the indelible ink used in the BMC polls was removed. MVA leaders alleged several administrative lapses, including the use of marker pens instead of the traditional indelible ink.

BJP Hits Back

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back at Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of distorting facts and spreading disinformation about the use of ink in the BMC elections. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Gandhi had accepted defeat before the counting for the civic polls.

“Bahana brigade back! Accepting defeat before counting ends? Rahul back to doing what he does best – discredit, distort & disinform. Khandani chor now regurgitating claims of Thackerays. By the way what came out of allegations Rahul made on Bihar elections vote chori??" Poonawalla remarked.

Indelible Ink Row

Uddhav Thackeray raised allegations of electoral malpractice, alleging that the ink applied to electors’ fingers after voting is being easily removed with nail polish remover and sanitisers, allowing some people to appear to vote multiple times.

“Has a sanitiser agency been hired by the Election Commission? I think action should be taken against the Election Commissioner. What have they done in the last nine years? The Election Commission is a servant, not a king. I urge you to come out in large numbers and vote," he said.

Raj Thackeray also levelled similar allegations. He alleged that a new type of pen is being used to apply the indelible ink. “Till now, the ink that was used to be applied, now a new pen has been introduced, and complaints are coming about that pen. If sanitiser is applied, the ink gets erased. Now all that remains is for the ink to be applied; then you come out, erase the ink, and go back inside to vote again. I want to inform everyone how the system is being operated," he said.

Election Commissioner Responds

Responding to the issue, Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare clarified that there was no change in the quality of ink being used. He said the same indelible ink has been in use since 2011, but this time it is being applied in marker form.

After Uddhav Thackeray accused the State Election Commissioner (SEC) of working with the BJP, Waghmare alleged a deliberate attempt to create confusion. I want to say that the ink being used to mark the fingers of voters is indelible ink, and it is the same ink which is used by the Election Commission of India in various elections," he said.

He also stated that the ink cannot be removed easily and assured appropriate legal action if anyone attempts to erase the ink and vote again. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis came to the defence with a humorous jibe at the opposition as he attempted to wipe off his own ink mark. “I have also been marked with a marker, is it erasing? The Election Commission should investigate this issue and consider alternatives; they can use oil paint if they prefer," he said after casting his vote.

The counting of votes for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections is underway on Friday, beginning at 10 AM across 23 designated centres in Mumbai, as the BJP-led Mahayuti held the edge over the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS in early trends.

(with inputs from agencies)

News politics 'Bahana Brigade': BJP Hits Back At Rahul Gandhi's Criticism Of ECI Amid BMC Polls Ink Row

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