Rahul Gandhi Faces BJP, AAP Heat Over EC Remarks Made in US

BJP leaders accuse Gandhi of defaming India abroad; AAP calls for electoral reform but urges domestic discourse, as Rahul questions voter list integrity in Maharashtra.

📍New Delhi | April 22, 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the Election Commission of India (ECI) during a recent address to the Indian diaspora in Boston has triggered sharp political backlash back home. Leaders from the BJP, AAP, and Shiv Sena have slammed Gandhi for questioning the credibility of India’s electoral process on foreign soil.

During his U.S. tour, Gandhi alleged that the EC was “compromised”, citing an instance during the Maharashtra elections where 65 lakh voters were allegedly added in just two hours, which he claimed was “physically impossible.”

“There is something fundamentally wrong with the system. More people voted in Maharashtra than the total number of people in Maharashtra,” Gandhi said in his address.

---

🔥 BJP Fires Back: “Rahul Gandhi Lacks Wisdom”

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal reacted strongly, stating:

“Rahul Gandhi himself does not know what he says. He mocks India every time he goes abroad. The world respects our electoral transparency, yet he insults it for political gain.”

Khandelwal accused the Congress of being a “rejected group” and claimed that both voters and states had lost trust in the party.

---

🗣️ Shiv Sena’s Shaina NC: “Defamation Under the Guise of Entitlement”

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also criticised Gandhi’s remarks, calling them “misleading” and “irresponsible”.

“As an entitled child of India, he should raise these issues in Parliament, not in Boston. He barely attends Parliament and misuses international platforms to spread misinformation.”

She cited Section 22 and Section 23 of the Representation of People’s Act, pointing out that only 89 appeals were received in Maharashtra regarding voter list revisions.

---

🧭 AAP’s Balanced Take: Reform Yes, But Fight It At Home

AAP Haryana President Sushil Gupta echoed the need for electoral reforms, particularly around EVMs, but cautioned Gandhi against internationalising domestic issues.

“Criticism of India’s election system should be voiced within the nation. There is a need for reform, but we must uphold our institutions’ dignity in global forums,” Gupta said.

---

🇮🇳 Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan: “Stop Hurting Democratic Dignity”

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused Rahul Gandhi of “projecting frustration from continued electoral losses.”

“Whenever he goes abroad, he attacks Indian democracy. He can’t digest that our electoral system is globally respected. The defeat is personal, not national.”

Pradhan further urged Gandhi to respect the democratic institutions that “the world admires.”

---

🧾 Context & Political Implications

Rahul Gandhi’s remarks come amid rising political temperatures ahead of the next phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress MP from Rae Bareli, seen as a key opposition figure, has frequently raised concerns over the neutrality of the Election Commission in past electoral cycles.

His international statements, however, continue to draw accusations of “anti-national rhetoric” from BJP leaders, who allege he uses foreign platforms to undermine India’s institutions.