New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi has triggered yet another political firestorm from foreign soil, this time by launching an attack on the Election Commission of India. Speaking to members of the Indian diaspora in Boston, the Congress leader alleged that the EC was “compromised” and claimed major irregularities in the Maharashtra assembly polls.
Gandhi alleged that “more people voted in Maharashtra than the total number of people in Maharashtra”, citing a two-hour spike in votes. “The Election Commission gave us a figure in the evening around 5:30 pm, and in two hours around 7:30 pm, 65 lakh voters had voted, which is physically impossible…” The comments drew sharp condemnation from the BJP back home, with party leader Sambit Patra launching a scathing counterattack.
“Rahul Gandhi should know he is out on bail and they did dacoity,” he added, referring to the National Herald case. “Rahul Gandhi is a traitor. ED ke gusse ko EC pe nikal rahe hai. This is the frustration. That is why Rahul Gandhi is insulting country.” “Maharashtra allies were not meant for BJP to win. Did Rahul compromise with ECI and Priyanka Vadra won in by-election donning Palestine bag, did they compromise with ECI?” Patra asked.
Patra added, “I want to send a message to Rahul Gandhi — if a person who is out on bail and insults the country on foreign soil — they think they can destroy image of the country, then they are totally out of line.” Meanwhile, the Election Commission has rejected Rahul Gandhi’s claims. EC sources told ANI that the allegations lacked substance and had not been backed by any formal process. Despite over 13 million Booth Level Agents across the country, the EC revealed that only 89 appeals were made in Maharashtra during the Special Summary Revision process that concluded in January 2025.
