'Rig Panel, Fake Voters': Rahul Gandhi Alleges 'Match-Fixing' In Maharashtra Polls, BJP Responds

Last Updated:June 07, 2025, 13:07 IST

In his article, Gandhi outlined a five-step process he claimed was used to tilt the Maharashtra election

Through his post, Rahul Gandhi gave credence to Pakistani fake news. (PTI)

The Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged large-scale electoral manipulation in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, calling it a “blueprint for rigging democracy."

In a post shared on X , Gandhi summarised the key points of an article he wrote for The Indian Express, where he laid out what he claims is a systematic method used to influence the election outcome in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In his article, Gandhi outlined a five-step process he claimed was used to tilt the Maharashtra election.

“Step 1: Rig the panel for appointing the Election Commission Step 2: Add fake voters to the roll Step 3: Inflate voter turnout Step 4: Target the bogus voting exactly where BJP needs to win Step 5: Hide the evidence," the Leader of Opposition wrote in his post.

“It’s not hard to see why the BJP was so desperate in Maharashtra," Gandhi wrote in his post. “But rigging is like match-fixing – the side that cheats might win the game, but damages institutions and destroy public faith in the result."

“All concerned Indians must see the evidence. Judge for themselves. Demand answers," Gandhi added.

He also warned that what happened in Maharashtra could be repeated elsewhere. “The match-fixing of Maharashtra will come to Bihar next, and then anywhere the BJP is losing," he said, calling match-fixed elections are a “poison" for any democracy.

BJP HITS BACK

Meanwhile, Gandhi’s allegations have stirred political debate, while many BJP leaders have dismissed the claims as “misleading."

BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya blamed Gandhi for repeatedly trying to sow seeds of doubt and division among voters.

“It is not that Rahul Gandhi doesn’t understand how the electoral process works. He does — very well. But his goal is not clarity, it is chaos. His repeated attempts to sow seeds of doubt and dissension in the minds of voters about our institutional processes are deliberate," Malviya wrote on X.

“When Congress wins — be it in Telangana or Karnataka — the same system is hailed as fair and just. But when they lose — from Haryana to Maharashtra — the whining and conspiracy theories begin, without fail," he stated.

Further adding, “This is straight out of George Soros’ playbook — systematically erode people’s faith in their own institutions, so they can be cracked open from within for political gains."

Speaking to NDTV, BJP spokesperson Tuhin Sinha said the Congress leader has returned to his “disgraceful antics of demonising the country’s institutions." He added that the issues raised by Gandhi had already been addressed in detail by the Election Commission.

“This is normal procedure. A similar process was followed even before the Karnataka assembly elections, which the Congress won. Besides, Rahul Gandhi has himself quoted different figures at different times," Sinha said.

Venkatesh Bung, co-head of the BJP IT Cell in Western Maharashtra, dismissed Gandhi’s claims as a deliberate attempt to undermine “public trust". He also shared a detailed rebuttal addressing each point in Gandhi’s five-step allegation.

“Your recent article in The Indian Express titled “Match-fixing Maharashtra", is not just misleading — they are a deliberate and dangerous attempt to erode public trust in India’s democratic institutions," Bung wrote.

“Let’s not poison the soul of Indian democracy for the sake of headlines. Stop the drama. Respect the mandate. Serve the people," he added.

Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha leader Jitan Ram Manjhi also slammed Gandhi over his allegations. “This means he has already accepted defeat. People who fear losing often say such things," Manjhi said.

News politics 'Rig Panel, Fake Voters': Rahul Gandhi Alleges 'Match-Fixing' In Maharashtra Polls, BJP Responds